By George Anderson
At least five deaths in Turkey are thought to be tied directly to humans coming in contact with chickens infected with the bird or avian flu known in medical terms as the H5N1 virus.
Up to 23 people are undergoing tests in Istanbul to determine if they are infected. The cases in Turkey have raised concerns that the disease is moving westward to Europe from Asia.
Turkey's Health Minister, Recep Akdag, spoke at a news conference. "The total number of cases in our country is 14 confirmed by laboratory tests, and out of those 14, three children have died," he said.
The World Health Organization has confirmed four cases and two deaths tied to the disease in Turkey.
According to Reuters, the sale of chickens and eggs has been banned across all of Istanbul.
The governor of the city, Muammer Guler, told the news service two of the city's districts are under quarantine and all poultry within them will be destroyed.
Moderator's Comment: How big a potential risk is the bird flu to the U.S. poultry business? Is the poultry industry ready for what many consider the probability that the bird flu will eventually reach American shores? - George Anderson - Moderator