German chickens test positive for H5N1 flu strain
Pastor Dale Morgan
German chickens test positive for H5N1 flu strain*
15 Dec 2007 15:52:55 GMT
Source: Reuters
BERLIN, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Two chickens in the northeastern German state
of Brandenburg have tested positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus,
local authorities said on Saturday.
A total of 11 birds in a small private holding in the district of
Oberhavel were suspected of having the virus. Five of them died and two
were sent for tests which produced positive results, the state
Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
Officials sealed off a three-km (two-mile) protection radius and imposed
a 10-km surveillance radius around the area.
It was the 22nd case of bird flu in the state, but the first outbreak in
a domestic flock of poultry and also the first in the Oberhavel district.
German authorities culled tens of thousands of birds after the virus was
found at at two farms in Bavaria earlier this year. Trade and movement
of birds were imposed in Bavaria after the outbreaks.
Although experts fear the H5N1 strain could spark a global pandemic and
kill millions if it mutates, it has so far appeared difficult for humans
to contract. Pakistan on Saturday recorded its first human death from
bird flu.
Nearly 350 people worldwide are known to have contracted the H5N1 virus,
which has killed more than 200 people since 2003. (Reporting by Madeline
Chambers; editing by Andrew Dobbie)