The European Commission (EC) will hold an emergency meeting to discuss measures to contain outbreaks of avian influenza in the Netherlands. This was reported by the representative of the EC Ricardo Cardoso.

"The Commission is expected to adopt on November 17, decision on urgent protective measures in connection with this outbreak", - quotes Agency Reuters words Cardoso.

According to him, the EC will indicate the areas where it will be illegal to sell live poultry, poultry meat, eggs and other poultry products to the EU countries and third countries.

Earlier at a poultry farm in the Netherlands, near Utrecht was discovered strain of avian influenza that is dangerous to humans. According to the Ministry of the economy, to prevent the spread of the virus on the farm were destroyed all 150 thousand chickens, placed in quarantine people who might have direct contact with infected poultry.

Today it became known that the government of Macedonia has temporarily suspended the importation of poultry meat and products made from it, from the Netherlands, the UK and Germany, in connection with the discovery of avian influenza cases on farms in these countries, as reported by RIA Novosti. A similar measure taken by the government of South Korea.

Avian influenza (classical fowl plague) type a/H5N1/ - highly pathogenic viral disease of birds that could be transmitted to humans by contact with infected animals. The virus affects the organs of digestion and respiration and has a high mortality.