According to Deutsche Welle, sources within the Turkmen veterinary service have reported widespread deaths among migratory birds on the Caspian coast. However, while authorities in countries across the world have adopted stringent measures to pre-empt the threat of a bird flu pandemic, it appears that the relevant state bodies have failed to investigate the causes of the mass deaths.
This information was also backed up fishermen operating in the Caspian Sea, who have testified to sighting from 30 to 50 dead birds around the Turkmenbashi peninsula. Among the birds spotted were pelican, wild ducks and geese. Though such findings have apparently been reported, it transpires that no action has been undertaken.
Meanwhile, ferghana.ru has carried unconfirmed reports of mysterious human fatalities in the Dashoguz region. News of this deaths came from the victims’ families, who specified that all the deceased worked with poultry.
The photos below come from the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights and show a sign warning against bird flu in Russian and Turkmen. There also shots of a number of dead birds in the Balkan velyat.