Iraqi health authorities go on bird flu alert Health authorities went on high alert today following Iraq's first reported case of the deadly bird flu virus, warning farmers across the country to inspect their domestic and commercial birds. Five mobile hospitals with special equipment were due to arrive in northern Iraq later today, according to Health Minister Abdel Mutalib Mohammed. A 20-mile security cordon will be placed around the village where the disease appeared, he added. The measures follow yesterday's announcement that a 15-year-old girl from northern Iraq who died on January 17 had contracted the deadly H5N1 strain of...
