DUSHANBE , February 10, Asia-Plus - The Russian Federation is ready to provide US$20 million to Central Asia ’s state for preventing spread of avian influenza (bird flu) in the region, according to information the Health Ministry press service.   

In this connection, Tajikistan ’s health ministry has drafted a project providing for all necessary preventive measures as well as strengthening of lab basis and submitted it for consideration to the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development.    

Mr. Navruz Jaffarov, deputy head of Tajikistan ’s Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision, has told Asia-Plus that no case of bird flu has been registered in the country but the risk of spread of the disease exists during the spring migration because the republic is located in Central Asia on a major migratory flyway path.  It is necessary to strengthen the capacity in the country to monitor migratory birds and potential transmission of the disease to local poultry and among local poultry, according to him.