One Day Before Premiere Borat has Bird Flu

GT News World Exclusive Report



Unless you've been living in a cave in Afghanastan, you've heard of Kazakhstani television's top media personality and the creator of "Borat's Guide To Britain", Borat Sagdiyev. What you don't know is the man who plays the Kazakh reporter, Sacha Baron Cohen, has been diagnosed with the avian influenza virus H5N1, or avian bird flu.

Our source close to the actor told GT News the 34 year-old comedian was diagnosed with the disease late Tuesday after being treated for flu symtoms at a local hospital over the weekend. Health officials suspect the source of the infection to be an old suitcase full of live poultry the actor carries with him. According to our source, Borat closed the case prematurely, decapitating one of the birds, thus exposing himself to the deadly virus.

"It couldn't have come at a worse time," admitted our source. The World Premiere of "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" opens in theaters tomorrow. GT News Editor Dave caught Borat online on his MySpace page and sent the Kazakh an Instant Message asking how he felt. "Borat is feeling not well due to American prostitue not cleared by exam of doctor prior to sex," he IM'd the Editor.

We spoke to Kazakhstani health officials Wednesday about the future superstar's condition. "It's clear he fights for life to continue. He must not be naked fighting outside now and must not like sex too much. Rest my friend, rest." said Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, who added that the authorities' efforts would focus on raising awareness among the population. "Although the beating of woman is fun for sport, he must conserve energy for fight of this bird flu."

Sacha Baron Cohen, who plays Borat, has millions of fans all over the world. A google search of 'Borat' returns 23.3 million hits, but he is not as popular in Kazakhstan. Borat has told the world that Kazakhs are addicted to horse urine, enjoy shooting dogs, view rape and incest as respectable hobbies and are fond of "running of the Jew" festivals.

Svetlana Chuikina, an anchorwoman on Kazakh television, said Borat didn't even look the part.
"He might look like a Turk, but definitely not like a Kazakh," she said. "Maybe this illness is a Kazakh curse."