End to bird flu declared

MEXICO CITY (AP):

Mexico says an outbreak of the H7N3 bird flu virus in western Mexico has been "totally controlled" after 68 days without any reports of new cases.

President Felipe Calderón said yesterday that more than 22 million hens had been slaughtered throughout the country since efforts to contain the outbreak were announced in July.

The outbreak caused price increases in chicken and egg products in Mexico. Calderón said the outbreak caused significant damage because of the outbreak.

The United States was among the countries that began exporting eggs to Mexico to help lower egg prices.