Hunting of birds banned in Iran to prevent H5N1

“We haven’t seen a case yet, but hunting wild birds has been banned to minimise risk of spread of avian influenza,” said Khuzestan’s Environment Organisation office.

Local authorities are on high alert as thousands of migratory geese, ducks and other wildfowl are heading for the province for the winter. The Organistation also added that any violators will be punished.

Iran’s neighbours Turkey, Iraq and Azerbaijan have all reported deaths from the H5N1 virus, but Tehran states that there have been no reported human cases in the area.