Four Turkish people reported infected with bird flu

The European Commission says available test results from Turkey suggest four people in the country have been infected with bird flu.

The virus seems to have led to the deaths of two teenagers, a brother and sister.

Several days ago an outbreak of avian influenza was confirmed in chickens in eastern Turkey, close to the border with Armenia and Iran.

It is believed that the chickens transferred the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease to the victims.

A statement from the European Commission says samples from the chickens are due to arrive in the UK today, where tests will be carried out.

Further tests will determine whether the children’s virus is the same as that which killed the chickens.

The complete ban on any import from Turkey of live birds and poultry products, adopted in early October of last year, remains in place.