September 13, 2006

Bird flu in ducks of US state Maryland confirmed as low-pathogenic

Bird flu discovered in Maryland last month in some mallard ducks has been confirmed as the low-pathogenic form of virus.

The US Departments of Agriculture and Interior Tuesday (Sep 12) announced the final test results confirming that the H5N1 virus detected from resident wild mallard ducks in Maryland is a low pathogenic subtype.

"This strain has been detected several times in wild birds in North America and poses no threat to human health," the departments said in their joint release.

The departments are working collaboratively with the states and academic institutions to sample wild birds throughout the US for the presence of highly pathogenic bird flu. More than 21,000 wild birds have been tested so far this year and none have been infected with highly pathogenic bird flu, the release said.