Peru closes beaches in bird flu outbreak

Peru temporarily closed several of its beaches Tuesday due to an avian flu outbreak affecting thousands of birds along the coast.

The closure will be in force until the dead birds are removed and the area is disinfected. Avian flu had killed thousands of birds. "We regret the death of the pelicans for being infected with bird flu. This has caused the death of nearly 80,000 – 90,000 pelicans across all coastal Peru”, Luis Molina, Mayor of Miraflores said.

The beaches will be closed to bathers or vacationers seeking to soak up the sun in areas where dead or sick birds have been found in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Surfers will be allowed to enter the water.