October 24, 2005

Sweden hit by bird flu
 

Swedish authorities have confirmed that a duck found dead recently in Eskilstuna, Södermanland province, tested positive for bird flu. The duck was one of four ducks tested from the initial group of seven found dead.

However, it was not yet determined if the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain had killed the duck. The country's national veterinary institute hoped to confirm soon the virus's exact strain.

This case heightened concerns that a bird flu epidemic would sweep Europe, following the recent cases in Turkey, Romania, Greece, Croatia and the UK.

In Italy, the government has announced an immediate ban on all live poultry imports and related products from Croatia, Romania and other Balkan countries. The ban also covered game birds shot by hunters.

The government has also stepped up health checks on poultry farms and wild birds. Domesticated poultry also had nets to separate them from migratory birds that might carry the virus.

Meanwhile, government scientists have taken blood samples from migratory birds captured throughout Italy for urgent examination.