July 22, 2005

Russia hit by first reported case of bird flu
 

Russia has found its first case of bird flu in Novosibirsk city in the Siberian Federal District, according to the Russian government.

Recently, over 200 geese and 100 chickens have died in the village of Suzdalka there and tests have detected the AH5 bird flu virus, the government said.

Russia's chief state medical officer, Gennady Onishchenko, said there would be no quarantine as no human cases have been found and veterinarians should cure the birds.

Meanwhile, the government was still trying to find out how the virus entered the country.