(AHN)-After confirmation of the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu in Israel, the European Commission banned poultry imports from the country into the European Union.

According to the AFP, the decision came after Israeli authorities confirmed the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain had been found in thousands of poultry, as five people were admitted to hospital and the authorities moved to cull multiple flocks of fowl.

An EU commission statement says the decision covers imports of live poultry, poultry meat, eggs and poultry products, although heat-treated poultry products from Israel will still be allowed to be imported.

Around 11,000 turkeys at two farms have died in Israel's first outbreak of bird flu since the virus swept Europe, central Asia and the Middle East.