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Fears of human bird flu infection spread throughout Turkey

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ANKARA, January 7 (RIA Novosti) - Following the recent deaths of three Turkish children of the Kocyigit family from the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, fears of human infection have spread to regions all over the country.

In the Van province in eastern Turkey, where the three victims were hospitalized, local authorities have begun a mass culling of domestic birds. National TV channel NTV reported that 44,500 chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese have been culled in the area.

There are currently 31 people in the Van hospital being treated for suspected bird flu.

Experts from the World Health Organization and the European Commission have been sent to Van to help deal with the outbreak.

About 1,100 people fearing bird flu infection asked for medical check-up at a local hospital in Dogubeyazit, where the Kocyigit family lives.

The H5N1 virus has also been discovered in dead geese in Ankara, the Turkish capital.

The sale of poultry in the capital's marketplaces has been banned.

Seven people were admitted Friday to a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, with symptoms of the virus.

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