“Is it true that the “bird flu” epidemic threatens Armenia?” In response to our question, the Minister of Health Norair Davidyan said the following: “The “bird flu” not only threatens Armenia, but also, the entire world. Even Condalesa Rice is involved in this and leads discussions from time to time regarding this issue.” Vice Minister Levon Yulyan claimed that that issue is at the center of their attention and that the Ministry receives new information every day about where the bird flu will spread. “Knock on wood; we have no “bird flu” patients. Only God knows what will happen next,” said Levon Yulyan during our interview with him. In addition, Norair Davidyan informed us yesterday that the bird flu epidemic has existed in the world since 1918 and fifty people have died from it. However, according to the minister, the epidemic has spread not only via bird meat, but also, through people. The Minister also stated that there is a vaccine which fights against the bird flu and we will have that in Armenia soon. “We are doing everything we can to get that vaccine, but we are not sure how much that will help cure the epidemic,” said the Minister and added that they are working with the Ministry of Agriculture in order to make sure no sick birds fly into Armenia. In addition, according to ornithologists, it is not possible to cure the epidemic just by preventing the bird with the meat from entering because the bird can enter Armenia in flocks.
