April 3, 2007

US suspects low-pathogenic bird flu in West Virginia
 

US authorities suspect turkeys at a farm in West Virginia have been infected with the low-pathogenic H5N2 strain of bird flu following positive preliminary test results, the USDA said.

According to the USDA, an industry group collected the samples during a routine check before slaughter, with no signs of illness or mortality seen among the birds.

USDA has confirmed that it is not the deadly H5N1 strain that has claimed dozens of human lives in Asia.

Local agricultural authorities did not identify the farm, but said it was located in the State's east-central Pendleton County.

In a statement to Reuters, USDA Chief Veterinarian John Clifford said the case in West Virginia should not "significantly impact" US poultry exports.

While the low-pathogenic strain poses no threat to humans, all 25,000 birds of the affected flock will be culled to prevent further spread of the disease.