March 28, 2008

Switzerland detects first bird flu in two years

Switzerland reported Thursday its first case of bird flu in two years, after diagnosing a wild duck with the disease, said the Swiss federal veterinary department.

The bird flu virus was detected in a wild duck on Lake Sempach, near Lucern, during a regular detection programme in which 200 specimens obtained from birds were tested.

The duck shows slight symptoms of the disease, said the Swiss office, adding that the detected virus is almost identical with those detected in Europe last year.