EN
21 January 2006 - 09:19 AMT

Turkey Insists Neighboring States Conceal Bird Flu Cases

US specialists, who study the bird flu situation in Turkey, will visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan this weekend, reported the Spokesperson of the US Embassy in Turkey. Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan border with eastern Turkey, where avian influenza virus was detected. 4 person died resulting from bird flu in eastern Turkey up to now. On the whole, 5 persons died in Turkey from bird flu as of January 20. US specialists will return from South Caucasian states next week and will report to the Turkish Government. Turkish officials fear that some neighboring states conceal bird flu cases. «Some of our neighboring states conceal the disease,» stated Turkish Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker, not specifying which countries are meant, reported RFE/RL.