February 20, 2006

Central Italy reports new bird flu case

The Italian Health Ministry has confirmed on Feb 19 that a dead wild duck found in central Italy has tested positive for the H5N1 strain of the bird flu.

This brings the total number of cases discovered in the country to eleven. The duck was found near Lake Trasimeno in the central region of Umbria on Feb 13, said the ministry.

The first cases of bird flu in Italy was reported last week when eight wild swans found dead in the southern regions of Puglia, Calabria and Sicily tested positive for the H5N1 strain.

Precautionary measures have been taken by the government. These include establishing a 3-kilometre high risk protective zone around each outbreak area, and a surveillance zone of 7 kilometres.