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<center>Dead ducks not killed by bird flu
</center> THE AGRICULTURE Ministry yesterday reassured the public that ducks found dead at the Athalassa Lake in Nicosia were not infected with bird flu.
An emergency meeting was yesterday held by Agriculture Minister Fotis Fotiou, who informed officials of the Veterinary Services, Forestry Department and Games Service that the dead birds were not infected by bird flu.
The ducks are believed to have died after being infected by Clostridium botulinum ? a soil bacterium that cannot be spread from animal to animal or from animal to humans.
Clostridium botulinum causes the production of Botulism, which is a potent known toxin, blocking nerve function and leading to respiratory and musculoskeletal paralysis.
Fotiou yesterday informed officials that the ducks appeared to have drunk water from a small puddle, left in the dried-out lake, and became infected from the bacteria.
According to health officials, samples have already been sent to Rome and London for tests to have the results officially confirmed by second and third sources.
?I would like to assure the public that the discovery of this bacteria does not pose a public health threat to anyone,? said the Minister.
He added: ?However, as a necessary precaution, the authorities are taking all the appropriate measures.?
</center> THE AGRICULTURE Ministry yesterday reassured the public that ducks found dead at the Athalassa Lake in Nicosia were not infected with bird flu.
An emergency meeting was yesterday held by Agriculture Minister Fotis Fotiou, who informed officials of the Veterinary Services, Forestry Department and Games Service that the dead birds were not infected by bird flu.
The ducks are believed to have died after being infected by Clostridium botulinum ? a soil bacterium that cannot be spread from animal to animal or from animal to humans.
Clostridium botulinum causes the production of Botulism, which is a potent known toxin, blocking nerve function and leading to respiratory and musculoskeletal paralysis.
Fotiou yesterday informed officials that the ducks appeared to have drunk water from a small puddle, left in the dried-out lake, and became infected from the bacteria.
According to health officials, samples have already been sent to Rome and London for tests to have the results officially confirmed by second and third sources.
?I would like to assure the public that the discovery of this bacteria does not pose a public health threat to anyone,? said the Minister.
He added: ?However, as a necessary precaution, the authorities are taking all the appropriate measures.?
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