August 29, 2006

USDA: New tests show bird flu in Michigan was low-pathogenic

New test results are in and they show that the H5N1 bird flu detected in two Michigan swans earlier this month was low-pathogenic, the US Department of Agriculture said late Monday (Aug 28).

The new test results confirming earlier tests that also showed a low-pathogenic H5N1 bird flu finding.

"This strain has been detected several times in wild birds in North America and poses no threat to human health," the USDA said. "Low pathogenic strains of bird flu commonly occur in wild birds and typically cause only minor sickness or no noticeable signs of disease in birds."

The tests further confirm the virus isn't the high-pathogenic "Asian" type of H5N1 that has killed humans and spread from Asia to Europe and Africa.