November 22, 2005

Romanian hens confirmed infected by H5N1 bird flu

A British laboratory has confirmed that Romanian hens found dead in the Danube delta village of Caraorman recently, were infected by the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the government said.

Romania had recently become the first country in mainland Europe to detect the deadly H5N1 virus, following its first outbreaks earlier in two villages in the Danube delta as well.

Caraorman village was already quarantined and 2,000 domestic birds were culled last week.

The government said it also detected the presence of bird flu in five swans found in the gulf of Muzura, near the border with Ukraine, and in three other wild birds found near Obretinul Mic village, about 10 kilometres (6 miles) north of Caraorman.

Samples would be sent to the Weybridge laboratory in Britain for tests to confirm if the H5N1 strain was involved, but no mention was made about when the results would be out.

The government added that random tests were being conducted to track the spread of bird flu. Wild birds were being monitored and constant testing of domestic fowl were carried out.

Romanian authorities said tests on poultry in Maliuc village where the H5N1 strain was detected in October had turned up negative lately. All restrictions on the local population have also been lifted.