Azerbaijani authorities have confirmed a bird flu outbreak in western regions of the country where poultry farms have already reported numerous deaths from the disease.

Deputy Health Minister Elsever Aghayev said that the state veterinary service confirmed that the bird flu virus was found in one of the blood samples sent from the west Azerbaijani region of Samukh.

The country"e;s environment ministry imposed a month-long ban on bird hunting after the outbreak was confirmed, according to reports reaching here Saturday.

Health officials are advising people to take precautions against the possible spread of the virus, which migrating birds can spread from other countries.

Source: Xinhua