Russians cull hundreds of fowl around bird flu village

Veterinary officials slaughtered poultry in a small village in central Russia today as fears grew that the bird flu that has swept through parts of Siberia could reach Moscow.

Officials put Yandovka, a remote village of 200 residents about 200 miles south of the Russian capital, under quarantine after villagers reported the mass illness and deaths of their fowl.

About a dozen police officers were posted to prevent outsiders from entering Yandovka, a ramshackle looking village of wooden houses, silver birches and three man-made ponds.

An acrid smell filled the air in the vicinity of the village, where veterinary officials in long green overcoats sprayed a disinfectant on cars and clothing of villagers wanting to leave.