The Ministerial group established to combat the spread of Avian flu, chaired by the Minister of Health convened yesterday evening (11/9/2006) and reviewed measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus among poultry stocks and reduce opportunities of human infection. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Health.

The Committee noted the following

1. There have been no cases of human infection. Testing was done on 18 specimens taken from persons who had been in contact with dead birds or showed symptoms of disease. All results were negative for Avian Flu.

2. The plan of confronting the disease was screened by all the participating ministries to implement the committee's decisions taken on last February 18, 2006 for banning the selling or slaughtering of live birds in the shops and the transferring among governorates.

3. According to a certain plan, the birds should be vaccinated for free, as there are 5 million doses of the vaccines distributed and another 10 million on their way.

4. There are 9 positive cases were detected among birds in the governorates of Sohag, Cairo, Damietta and Giza during August 5 to September 10, 2006.

5. Minister of Environment pointed out that a decision of organizing the hunting season was issued, as samples of the immigrating birds will be analyzed starting its arrival.

6. The committee reviewed the special preparations by the media awareness. State Information Service Chief confirmed that there are three old references will be broadcasted periodically besides other new three references. The media campaign is integrated to include also any case of human infection. The SIS chief also added that the media campaign will focus on the young breeders, as 20.000 pamphlets will be printed to include instructions and method of combating the virus.

- The committee necessitated the intensification of these references during the month of Ramadan, particularly in the high-viewing programs

- The committee urges citizens to commit cautiously when dealing with the live birds.