December 15, 2005

Taiwan detects low pathogenic bird flu strains

Taiwanese authorities have detected bird flu in migratory bird droppings on the outskirts of Taipei. According to the agriculture department, the low pathogenic H7N3 and H5N2 strains of the disease were found.

Like the deadly H5N1 strain that has claimed dozens of human lives in Asia, the mild H7N3 strain was also known to infect people. However, the H5N2 strain does not pose a threat to humans although it could kill birds.

The Council of Agriculture said the viruses were detected in marshlands on the outskirts of Taipei, during regular surveillance of migratory birds.

According to the council, there was no risk of infections spreading since no poultry farms were located within a radius of 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) of the droppings. But it still urged nearby residents to be watchful for the disease.

Many wild birds pass through Taiwan on their southward migration during the cold winter months, the council said.

Thousands of poultry were culled in Taiwan during an outbreak of the less virulent H5N2 strain in 2004. But the country has not been hit by a major outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain so far, although smuggled pet birds from China were found with the virus in October.