March 21, 2006

Denmark confirms nine more bird flu cases

Denmark confirmed nine more cases of H5N1 type bird flu, just four days after the virus was first detected in the country.

Tests on nine wild ducks revealed they were carrying the highly pathogenic strain of the virus.

Danish authorities established a protection zone on the island of Aeroe, located about 170 kilometres south-west of Copenhagen, where tests on Friday indicated that the birds were carrying the disease.

The country confirmed its first case of H5N1 on Thursday, when a buzzard tested positive.