The spokesman said one ship had been prevented from leaving the canal and others due to arrive had "been advised of the temporary closure, allowing them to slow steam, arriving a bit later than scheduled".

BBC: Manchester Ship Canal closed after Stanlow oil spillage

To slow its spread, such measures as the closure of schools and the prohibition of large social gatherings might need to be contemplated.

ECONOMIST: The spreading bird-flu menace reaches Europe | The

Mr Cantalupo also saw McDonald's slow down its historically high-speed expansion and the closure of hundreds of under-performing restaurants.

BBC: NEWS | Business | McDonald's CEO Jim Cantalupo dies