Bird flu could become endemic in Turkey and pose a serious risk to neighboring countries, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization has warned

BBC News:

Health officer Juan Lubroth said it may be spreading despite controls. More than 300,000 birds have been culled.

At the same time, the World Health Organization said good public information and not panicking were the key to tackling the Turkish outbreak.

Two people have died from the H5N1 strain in Turkey - 13 are in hospital.

"The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 could become endemic in Turkey," the FAO said.

"Far more human and animal exposure to the virus will occur if strict containment does not isolate all known and unknown locations where the virus is currently present," Mr Lubroth added.

The FAO has sent a team to Turkey to help efforts to control the virus.

It has warned neighbouring countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Iran and Syria to be on high alert, advising them to apply surveillance and control measures and ensure the public is fully informed about the virus.

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