November 15, 2005

Taiwan detects avian flu in bird droppings

Taiwanese authorities said they have detected the H7N3 bird flu virus in droppings from a migratory bird. The virus was found in one of 20 samples of bird droppings taken from a swamp outside the southern city of Tainan.

An official said no dead birds have been found in the area and a final report was expected to be ready soon.

Samples of droppings were also taken from poultry farms within three kilometres of where the migratory birds nested. Warning signs were also put up around the swamp.