GERMANY: Preliminary tests have shown the presence of the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain in two dead swans in northern Germany, a government official said yesterday.
The swans were found on the island of Rügen, and regional agriculture ministry spokeswoman Iris Uellendahl said a preliminary test showed it was the virulent H5N1 strain.
Agriculture minister Horst Seehofer was scheduled to hold a news conference later. Samples from the birds were being taken to an EU laboratory in Britain for a definitive test, Ms Uellendahl said. Poultry within around 3.2km (two miles) of where the dead swans were found would be tested, she said.
Earlier today, Mr Seehofer ordered that all domestic birds be kept indoors from next week, stepping up the planned measure to prevent migrating fowl from spreading the virus.
Authorities determined there was a heightened risk following the discovery of H5N1 in dead swans in Austria, Italy, Greece, Slovenia and Bulgaria. It has also occurred in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The virus has killed at least 91 people in Asia and Turkey since 2003, according to the World Health Organisation.