The directive of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared in the Turkish Official Gazette Wednesday, warning that there was the possibility of a major outbreak of influenza this autumn and winter.

The directive also carried a warning that avian flu, which struck Turkey and many other countries in the region and beyond late last year and early this year, could mutate into a new form and cause a new type of influenza virus that could be transmitted directly between humans. This could lead to a world wide pandemic, the directive said. throughout the world.

Under the National Pandemics Plan, prepared by Turkish Health Ministry, in the event of a pandemic, all hospitals and health institutions will work in co-ordination, while in case of a global influenza pandemic, the Prime Ministry Crisis Management Centre and City crisis centers will act upon the directives of the Health Ministry.