# 1416
Despite denials by the Iranian government, we are hearing persistent rumors of bird flu outbreaks (in poultry) in Iran.
First the denial, then a couple of reports that seem to counter the `official position'.
This from the Tehran Times, Dated December 25th, 2007
No confirmed bird flu case detected in Iran
TEHRAN (IRNA) - Health Minister Kamran Baqeri Lankarani on Monday announced that no confirmed case of bird flu has been detected in the country since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year beginning on March 21, 2007.
""We have intensified health protection in all provinces, especially the country's western border regions,"" the minister told reporters, adding that any suspicious cases go under examination.
""Currently, special medical teams have been stationed in the country's border areas,"" he said, adding that public information programs to inform people of how to avoid infection and spread of the virus are being conducted.
Lankarani praised efforts by Agriculture Jihad Ministry and the Veterinary Organization to slaughter birds when suspicious cases are witnessed.
The minister assured the people that his ministry would act transparently in that regard.
On the same day that this denial was issued, the following article appeared in the Azerbaijani publication, The Financial.
Hat tip to Niman on Flutrackers for posting this link.
Azerbaijan bans Iranian chicken imports
25/12/2007 13:37 (2 Day 12:01 minutes ago)
The FINANCIAL -- According to APA, Azerbaijan has put a ban on importation of chicken and poultry products from Iran after a Bird Flu was discovered in the Republic.
The State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture said Azeri businessmen have not imported any chicken and poultry products from Iran for six years.
“If anybody applies for importation of these products from Iran, they will be answered “No”, said the State Veterinary Service.
Iran has started to cull out birds in Tehran, Eastern Azerbaijan and Zangan Provinces although authorities deny existence of bird flu.
Etimad Newspaper quoted a vet as saying bird flu has spread in Iran. According to the newspaper, hens have been killed after they were found infected with the bird flu virus coming from the North.
And from Current Events Flu Clinic, posted and translated by Oric, comes this second report.
The below article is from a Turkish web site, the site is about fast consumable goods industry so should be reliable
In summary : It is heard from local Iranian newspaper "Itımad" that the H5N1 has entered the country from the north and is spreading among winged animals. All these claims are denied by Iranian health ministry but they also speak of "blood samples" sent to Italy. There are also reported mass cullings in the country and the local laws mandate all animals to be culled should 10% of them die for any cause
26.12.2007 08:15:00
İran`da Kuş Gribi Alarmı
Thus far, our Iranian flu blogger Dr.Arash Ghalyanchi is only carrying the official denial on his website.
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