Two chickens in the northeastern German state of Brandenburg have tested positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, local authorities said today.
A total of 11 birds in a small private holding in the district of Oberhavel were suspected of having the virus. Five of them died and two were sent for tests which produced positive results, the state Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
Officials sealed off a three-km (two-mile) protection radius and imposed a 10-km surveillance radius around the area.
It was the 22nd case of bird flu in the state, but the first outbreak in a domestic flock of poultry and also the first in the Oberhavel district.
German authorities culled tens of thousands of birds after the virus was found at at two farms in Bavaria earlier this year. Trade and movement of birds were imposed in Bavaria after the outbreaks.
Although experts fear the H5N1 strain could spark a global pandemic and kill millions if it mutates, it has so far appeared difficult for humans to contract. Pakistan on Saturday recorded its first human death from bird flu.
Nearly 350 people worldwide are known to have contracted the H5N1 virus, which has killed more than 200 people since 2003.