Spain to increase purchase of bird flu vaccines

Spain Tuesday decided to increase purchase of bird flu vaccines as part of the preventive measures following the bird-flu outbreaks in several European countries.

Spain will acquire six to 10 million vaccines, which would provide preventive treatments to 15-25 percent of the country's population with the highest risk of contracting the disease.

The number forms a substantial increase from the two million anti-virus treatments decided in April to guarantee a five percent coverage of its total population.

Meanwhile, the country announced the creation of a special inter-ministerial commission to watch over the evolution of bird flu in the wake of a case identified in the Greek island of Chios.

Bird flu, transmitted by H5N1 virus, has killed over 60 people in Asia since 2003. Last week the strain was confirmed in Turkey and Romania.

Source: Xinhua