May 18, 2006

Laos reports H5N1 bird flu strain in duck

The virulent H5N1 type of bird flu has been found in a single duck in Laos, a government official said Wednesday (May 17).

The virus was discovered in a living free range duck several weeks ago at a backyard farm 12 miles from the country's capital Vientiane, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Yong Chanthalansy.

Describing the case as an "isolated" one, he said Laotian authorities have taken necessary measures to monitor any infected fowl and control the spread of the disease.

The last time bird flu was reported in Laos was in early 2004.