France says dead duck likely had H5N1 bird flu

PARIS (Reuters) – Tests on a dead duck found in eastern
France showed it had the H5 strain of bird flu and probably had
the H5N1 strain, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday.

Further tests were being conducted on the duck, which was
found dead on Monday, a ministry communique said. The H5N1
strain has killed at least 91 people around the world.

“The test showed the H5 virus was present and had strong
similarities with the H5N1 Asian influenza,” it said. “Further
tests are under way.”