WHO warns Albania to take preventive steps for bird flu

TIRANA, Oct. 10 – Marc Danzon of the World Health Organization warned Albania Wednesday to take the necessary preventive steps against the H5N1 that may affect European countries in the months to come until Spring. “Oblivion is the greatest danger,” he warned Albanian parliamentarians Wednesday. He said the WHO had warned all European countries for a possible break up of the virus and the timing was not known. Danzon said his agency would continue the support for the tiny Balkan country. Albania detected two cases of H5N1 strain of bird flu in March. Albania has banned poultry imports from Asian and European countries where the strain has been detected. Citizens have been urged to avoid contact with dead birds, and the hunting of wild birds has been banned.