August 30, 2006
 
Tests rule out Asian bird flu in Michigan swans

Tests done on a wild swan which caught the bird flu virus in Michigan confirmed that it is not carrying the deadly Asian version, the USDA said Monday (Aug 29).

The swan had a relatively harmless, low-pathogenic strain of the H5N1 virus, tests done by the department's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa showed.

Authorities found bird flu in two mute swans in mid-August. Genetic analysis indicated they were not the more virulent Asian strain in both birds.

The mute swans were among 20 mute swans tested in a game area as authorities expanded the area to be monitored for bird flu from Alaska to the entire US. The Michigan area was one of the first areas included in the expanded effort. 

The US government intends to test 100,000 wild birds to see if the deadly Asian bird flu would indeed arrived in America as expected this year. 

The low-grade strain has been found in North American wild birds and poses no threat to people, the department said.

Any confirmation would result in more intensive monitoring and extra security measures to protect commercial poultry flocks from infection.