Occupied Cyprus, Bird Flu H5N1 and a deafening silence

The EU announced on Jan 30^th that the bird flu variant H5N1 was detected in samples from dead poultry sent to London for testing from dead birds found in Makrasyka, a village in the Turkish controlled and occupied areas of the island of Cyprus. This is 5 kilometres north of the “Green Line” A and 2 miles from the UK Sovereign Base Area at Dhekelia. A heightened security zone with a 10km radius has been established around the village.

Agriculture Minister Timis Efthymiou said that Achna, Avgorou, Xylotymbou, Ormideia and Pyla all fall within this quarantine zone.

Within the zone there is sterilisation of all outgoing traffic, a quarantine of all birds, and a ban on hunting and fishing as well as on the collection of snails or mushrooms. The measures are set to be in place for at least 30 days. The UK forces have been involved in border checks of vehicles with the assistance of Cyprus Government veterinary staff.

Curiously if you Google “H5N1 Cyprus” you will find Reuters Alert reports, Cyprus Mail and a Medical site report this news.

No single Press / TV / media organisation worldwide have reported this advance of the allegedly “lethal” strain from mainland Turkey … although now there is now massive press / TV comment on alleged outbreaks in Nigeria.

Why ? Remember 2 Mn tourists / holidaymakers will soon be arriving in this sunny paradise now enjoying membership of the EU, it of course attracts many ornithologists at this time who want to see the migrating birds that use the island such, as the very rare spur winged plover that arrived last week at Oroklini Salt Marshes ….. if you want to read more about this avian flu incident visit the excellent Cyprus Mail website http://www.cyprus-mail.com and search the news archive by keyword.

Curious ?