Authorities were culling thousands of domestic birds in Romania today to prevent the spread of a deadly strain of bird flu that has decimated flocks and killed dozens of people in Asia.

European Union authorities agreed on new measures aimed at preventing a lethal strain of bird flu from entering the bloc and moved to calm people’s fears about contracting the disease, one day after it was confirmed on the continent’s doorstep in Turkey.

TURKISH officials carried out medical tests on nine people living in a neighbourhood where 40 pigeons reportedly died, but released the nine from medical observation yesterday after determining it was unlikely they had bird flu.

Turkish officials carried out medical tests on nine people living in a neighbourhood where 40 pigeons reportedly died, but released the nine from medical observation today after determining it was unlikely they had bird flu.

Turkish officials put nine people under medical observation today after reports that 40 pigeons in their neighbourhood mysteriously died, as officials confirmed that earlier bird deaths in the country were caused by a virulent strain of bird flu.

Turkish authorities have ordered poultry farmers in a quarantined area in western Turkey to hand over birds for culling or face fines and possible jail sentences as Turkey tried to contain an outbreak of suspected bird flu.