Bird flu outbreak reported in Bulgaria

SOFIA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of bird flu was discovered in the village of Voyvodovo in southeastern Bulgaria near the town of Haskovo, the regional administration said on Friday.

The virus was detected in two farms for broilers and ducks after mortality there has increased, the statement said.

The 120,000 chickens on the farms would be culled, the statement said.

Meanwhile, a 3-km protection zone and a 10-km observation area around the village would be set up, with a ban on the trade and movement of domestic and wild birds.

In late 2016 and early 2017, a wave of bird flu hit the Balkan country, affecting more than 110,000 chickens.