As widely reported and noted in this earlier
diary by the venerable DemFromCT, several cases of Avian Bird Flu (H5N1) has been confirmed in Turkey in the past week, including at least a couple of fatalities. The initial infections were found in a town named Van in eastern Turkey. Van is located approximately 80 miles from the Iraq border and less than 150 miles from US troops stationed in Mosul. The proximity of Van to Iran has already prompted the Iranian government to close at least one of the border crossings between the countries.
Basic AP report in International Herald Trib is here.