Young Iraqi teen death investigated as possible bird flu case
{{date|January 18, 2006}}

[[Image:IraqAsSulaymaniyah.png|thumb|Location of the [[w:As Sulaymaniyah Governorate|As Sulaymānīyah]] province within Iraq, where the girl died]]
Iraq health officials are reportedly looking into the death of a teenaged girl who died near the border with Turkey, which is believed to possibly be linked to the [[w:H5N1|H5N1]] Asian bird flu.

The young woman lived near a resevoir used as a stopover for migratory birds traveling from Turkey. Her family kept domestic birds, some of which have been sick and died; it is unknown at this time if any of the birds were infected with H5N1.

The inquiry is being investigated, and blood samples have been sent to [[w:Jordan|Jordan]] for further testing.  Residents in the region fear the virus may have spread from Turkey, where UN official believe the strain exists in the wild fowl population.

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== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-01-18T080848Z_01_KAR824766_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-IRAQ-DEATH.xml&rpc=22|title=Iraq tests for bird flu after girl dies in north|author=Twana Osman|pub=Reuters|date=January 18, 2006}}

* {{source|author=
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4623336.stm
|title=Iraq tests dead girl for bird flu
|pub=BBC
|date=Wednesday, 18 January 2006, 10:45 GMT }}

 {{archive}}
[[Category:Iraq]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Health]]
[[Category:Avian Flu]]
[[Category:Influenza]]
As Sulaymānīyah province within Iraq, where the girl died
Iraq health officials are reportedly looking into the death of a teenaged girl who died near the border with Turkey, which is believed to possibly be linked to the H5N1 Asian bird flu.

The young woman lived near a resevoir used as a stopover for migratory birds traveling from Turkey. Her family kept domestic birds, some of which have been sick and died; it is unknown at this time if any of the birds were infected with H5N1.

The inquiry is being investigated, and blood samples have been sent to Jordan for further testing.  Residents in the region fear the virus may have spread from Turkey, where UN official believe the strain exists in the wild fowl population.

*
Iraq Middle East Health Avian Flu Influenza