November 15, 2005

Romania reports new bird flu cases
 

Romania's veterinary authority has reported four new cases of bird flu in hens found dead in Caraorman village, in the Danube delta region.

The authority said preliminary tests indicated the presence of the H5 virus, but the samples would be sent to Britain for confirmatory tests for the deadly H5N1 strain. It was not said when the test results would be known

Meanwhile, the affected village would be quarantined and 2,000 domestic birds would be culled.

Romania was first hit by H5N1 last month in two Danube delta villages, marking the fist time the deadly strain was reported in mainland Europe.

Several migratory birds, which stopped over at the delta on their way south, have also tested positive for the disease recently.