Experts dismiss link between avian flu and SARS

HEALTH experts have ruled out any link between avian flu and the SARS virus following the death of a 57-year old vet in Holland last week.

Over 18m chickens have been culled in Holland following an outbreak of the bird flu on 1,000 holdings in the past number of weeks. The virus has also spread to Belgium, killing a further 1.7 million birds.

Over 23 of infected holdings have been confirmed in the Netherlands, the EU’s biggest poultry exporter, since February 28. Another 23 are seriously suspected to be contaminated. There have been three outbreaks in Belgium, where two other suspected cases are being examined.