Afghanistan at High Bird Flu Risk

As if the people of Afghanistan didn't have enough to worry about, they now have word from the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that they are at a big risk for bird flu, including the deadly strain that can kill people. Afghanistan is on the path of migrating birds that may be carrying the disease. And an estimated 85% of the citizen's of Afghanistan live in close contact with poultry. And after decades of war, veterinary services are also in disarray. "We couldn't say it is inevitable," said a FAO representative, Serge Verniau, "But the risk is huge."

The bird flu has killed around 80 people since 2003, mostly in Asia. (source)

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