No bird flu outbreak in Nineveh, health officials say

NINEVEH — Veterinary and health authorities in Nineveh confirmed Wednesday that there is no outbreak of avian influenza in the governorate, saying the situation is under control after one isolated case earlier this month.

Omar Al-Hayali, director of the Nineveh Veterinary Hospital, told the state-run Al-Sabah newspaper, “What has been circulated recently about widespread cases in the governorate is inaccurate. The only recorded case was in one of the farms in Bashiqa district, and it was dealt with in accordance with approved protocols, which included burying the infected birds and taking all necessary preventive measures to prevent the disease from spreading.”

He said the situation is “completely under control,” with veterinary monitoring teams continuing daily follow-ups to ensure the safety of livestock and public health.

Ahmad Saqi, head of the agriculture division in Bartella, said infection rates in local farms were minimal. “The infections were limited to the areas between Bartella and Bashiqa, and were fully controlled,” he said.

Nineveh Health Director Dilshad Shangali also confirmed that the situation remains stable. “There is no outbreak of the virus in the governorate,” he said.

Earlier this month, Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture banned the import of all poultry and birds from Iran following reports of bird flu infections there. The ban covers live and frozen poultry, eggs, ornamental and predatory birds, and all poultry-related products.