UN urges Asian countries to be on alert for new outbreaks of bird flu

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-24-2007 10:22

United Nations officials are urging Asian countries to be on alert for new outbreaks of bird flu. Five countries have already reported new cases since the beginning of the year.

Bird flu outbreaks so far this year are significantly lower than in the past. But this is the time of year when the virus typically flourishes due to the cooler temperatures during the traditional bird flu season.

UN Food and Agriculture Organization officials told a news conference in Bangkok that the level of alert across the world had to be increased.