Oklahoma places temporary ban on movement of live birds

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma officials have closed the state borders to poultry and live birds because of health risks associated with the recent avian influenza outbreak in Texas. <br><br>The Oklahoma

Thursday, February 26th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma officials have closed the state borders to poultry and live birds because of health risks associated with the recent avian influenza outbreak in Texas.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry made the announcement Wednesday.

State animal health inspectors and investigators have set up inspection sites at various border locations in southern and eastern Oklahoma.

The decision comes two days after Texas authorities verified the discovery of a highly transmissible strain of avian influenza based on a case near San Antonio.

The flu is not considered a danger for humans, though a different strain in Asia has caused human illness.

The state's directive does not include mom-and-pop operators who sell birds directly to pet shop distributors.