Thursday, March 30, 2006
Lethal Bird Flu Strain Confirmed In 5 Swans In SE France
France’s food safety agency Thursday confirmed five new cases of a lethal strain of bird flu in wild swans found dead in a southeastern region already hit by the virus.
Lab tests showed that the five swans found last week around four ponds in the Dombes district of the Ain region had the H5N1 strain of bird flu, according to a statement from the local administration.
Tests were being conducted on seven more birds found dead in the area. At least 35 wild birds in France, most in the Ain region, have been found to have had the deadly form of bird flu.
Authorities had no plans to change security measures already established in the region to prevent the spread of the virus, the statement said.