January 9, 2006

Mexico reports bird flu outbreak in Chiapas

Mexico's public health department reported an occurrence on Thursday of low-pathogenic bird flu among some chickens in the south-eastern state of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala.

The department said the strain, AH5N2, was confined entirely to birds and does not infect humans.

"The strain detected in these farm birds has no relation whatsoever to the AH5N1 that has been found in birds in Asia and Eastern Europe," the department said in a press statement.

The virus was detected by government control measures, it said.

"The virus detected in Chiapas ... represents no risk to humans, given that it only affects birds," the statement said. "The Mexican population can continue to consume chicken and chicken products with any health risks."