Bird flu confirmed in Afghanistan

The virus has been confirmed in six samples taken from birds in Kabul and Jalalabad, a joint statement released by the UN and the government said.

These are the first cases of bird flu in Afghanistan.

Separately, in India's western state of Maharashtra 31,000 chickens have now been slaughtered after four more cases of the deadly strain were identified.

Following the detection of bird flu, the Afghan government has put an immediate ban on poultry imports from neighbouring Pakistan.

Nine hundred chicken farms have been closed in Jalalabad and the government and the UN plan to begin culling birds in the affected areas.

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul reports that chicken has started disappearing from markets in Jalalabad and Kunar but are available elsewhere in Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat.

UN and Afghan government officials say a public awareness campaign about the virus is going to be launched.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4811564.stm