March 30, 2006

Czech Republic confirms first case of H5N1 bird flu virus
 

The European Union reference laboratory in the UK Wednesday (Mar 29) confirmed tests indicate a dead swan found in the south of the Czech Republic had the H5N1 bird flu virus, an official said.

The country's veterinary authority spokesman Josef Duben said the H5N1 virus was detected in a swan found Mar 22 on the Vltava river near Hluboka, 130 kilometres south of Prague.

Another dead swan found Saturday (Mar 25) near Ceske Budejovice, 150 kilometres south of Prague, tested positive for the H5 virus, and further tests will be conducted to determine whether it had the H5N1 strain, Duben said.