This week in North Cyprus > 9th-16th January 2006
Government Acts To Stop Outbreak: THE government has introduced emergency measures to prevent a possible outbreak of bird flu. The small game hunting season due to start tomorrow has also been called off.
meeting was held at the Veterinary Department to draw up guidelines under the name "International Epidemic Prevention Plan". Agriculture and Forestry Minister Hüseyin Öztoprak and Health and Social Aid Minister Esref Vaiz participated in the meeting, at which the head of the Veterinary Department, Kamil Aktolgah, gave information about special clothes to be worn and devices which would help prevent the disease.
He also demonstrated a mobile furnace that would be used to destroy any infected birds and spoke about the Tamiflu medicine used to treat the disease.
Mr Öztoprak said imported live winged birds were banned and the only way the disease could come into the country was via migrant birds.
He decried a lack of cooperation on the issue by Greek Cypriots, but said the North was willing to help with any outbreak in the South. No meetings were planned between the two sides to discuss the issue.
Mr Vaiz said the authorities had been working since July on the International Epidemic Prevention Plan put forward by the World Health Organisation and the European Union.
He said: "There is neither a vaccination nor a medicine for 100 per cent treatment available for the disease.
"Since there are so many flu, bronchitis and pneumonia cases in this season, the identification of the disease is not easy. If a suspected sufferer's preliminary tests are positive, their body temperature information, lung and throat fluids will sent to the Istanbul University Institute.
"After diagnosis of the disease, samples are sent to England to test if the virus is contagious among the people."
Should the illness be detected, winged birds in a 9km2 area will be destroyed.
The cancellation of tomorrow's start to the small game hunting season was announced on Monday, with Mr Vaiz saying they could not take any risks.
In the meantime, health inspectors are to be placed at all ports of entry to the TRNC and anyone suspected of being ill will be sent to hospital. The public has been warned to pay particular attention to hygiene precautions, and should make sure chicken and eggs are thoroughly cooked.
Meanwhile, TRNC officials have called for all birds to be locked in covered pens and say they will conduct checks to see that the guidelines are being observed. A special hotline - on 185 - has been set up for the public to report any breaches.
THE NEW GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES issued to the public as precautions against bird flu:
* Any dead birds found should not be touched unless absolutely necessary, and then only by using rubber gloves or plastic carrier bags.
* The authorities should be notified immediately of any dead bird found.
* Any birds intended for eating should be cooked to a temperature of at least 80C.
* Any other animals that are taken ill should also not be touched and the owner should immediately inform the relevant department. O Any people dealing with animals or birds or with their pens should take great care over hygiene for their own safety and that of others around them.
* Emergency numbers issued by officials in Girne: Veterinary Department 815 2110, director Tulgay Savasan 0533 861 9964; Health Department 815 2433, director Ramadan Senli 0542 852 5627. O National emergency numbers: police . 155; hotline for reporting breaches of instruction to keep all birds enclosed 185.
Currency exchange rates
US Dollar |
1.34 |
UK Pound |
2.33 |
Cyprus Pound |
1.69 |
Euro |
1.59 |
The weather this week in North Cyprus
A wet week lies ahead with showers expected every day except Monday when it will be clear partly. Temperatures will fall to a maximum of 13 - 16C normal for this time of year and winds will be north westerly, strong at first but moderating and becoming east to north easterly.
Maximum, mimimum and rainfall in North Cyprus last week
Town/City |
Minimum Temperature |
Maximum Temperature |
Rain |
Lefkosa |
3.6 |
19.6 |
0.2 |
Ercan |
5.2 |
19.4 |
0.6 |
Gazi Magusa |
4.6 |
19.4 |
0.0 |
Girne |
12.0 |
19.6 |
0.5 |
Güzelyurt |
6.3 |
21.3 |
0.2 |
Resources: Cyprus Today and Cyprus Times
Contact
Us 
You can contact
us with any question about Properties
for sale in North Cyprus or related
services. You can contact us directly
by phone, fax or email.
info@cyprusislandhomes.com
|
