1.   Some of the worst destruction took place at the veterinary department, which was used as a military base by an Islamic rebel faction.

2.   The suspension went into effect Thursday, Dzholdoshbek Osmonaliyev, director of the veterinary department in this ex-Soviet republic, said.

3.   The veterinary department is studying the ostrich markets in Singapore, Japan, Europe and elsewhere, she said.

4.   To keep the disease contained, the state veterinary department has banned the movement of pigs between farms.

5.   The veterinary department believes that the possible last cases will develop in the next couple of years.

6.   Veterinary department officials said the incineration would start Friday or Saturday.

7.   The decision was taken by the head of the veterinary department at the ministry, Mikhail Kravchuk, and took effect on Thursday.