December 18, 2007

EU says H5N1 form of bird flu confirmed in Germany

The European Union said on Monday (December 17, 2007) outbreak control measures were being put in place in Brandenburg, Germany, after the highly pathogenic H5N1 form of bird flu was confirmed in a flock of birds in the German city.

The precautionary measures include the culling of poultry on the holding and the establishment of a 3-kilometer protection zone around the outbreak area. A 10-kilometer perimeter around the outbreak is being kept under surveillance.

Global health officials worry the H5N1 virus that is currently circulating could eventually mutate into a strain that could pass easily from person to person, which could spark a human pandemic.