JERUSALEM, April 5, 2006 (WAFA)- United Nations officials warned that bird flu will have a devastating effect on Gaza's already weak economy.

At a joint news conference Wednesday in Jerusalem, UN officials revealed that another 250,000 birds in the Gaza Strip (GS) would be culled in the coming days in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, in addition to the quarter million birds that had been already slaughtered.

Local World Health Organization chief, Ambroglio Manenti, said that an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 strain of bird flu in GS is "partially under control", adding that such control must improve.

He called on Israeli government to reopen Karni (al-Muntar) goods crossing, saying that "one specific concern is the fact that poultry constitutes the primary source of protein in the GS and with the Karni crossing closed we are concerned about the nutritional consequences on the population".

Manenti also added that 30,000 poultry farmers in GS would be affected by the cull, meaning that, with their families, some 200,000 people inside the impoverished territory will be affected, or 15 percent of the population.

Luigi Damiani, Project Manager for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said "since poultry is the primary source of protein for people in Gaza, we are also very concerned about the nutritional consequences, especially with the frequent closings of the Karni crossing".

"The situation is of course very, very serious but it is not a time for panic," Damiani said. "There is a need for proper staff, veterinary laboratory facilities, protective equipment and a compensation policy in the PA. About 250,000 birds already have been killed. It is not quick enough".

"This is strictly related to fact that the farmers are resistant to culling because they would like to know who is going to compensate them - if there will be any compensation. Of course this is a big issue that must be answered," Damiani added.

Alvaro De Soto, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said "the bird flu crisis highlights the importance of having a regular border opening".

"We were very pleased at the cooperation we received both from Israel and from the Palestinian Authority on this matter," De Soto added.

"Israel has been very proactive in this matter," De Soto said. "They realize it's a problem without passports, one that doesn't respect borders, and they jumped into it".

H.M. (20:50 P) (17:50 GMT)