Duck in Sweden found with flu, virus type unclear
Posted on: Saturday, 22 October 2005, 15:57 CDT
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A duck found dead east of Stockholm has tested positive for avian flu, Sweden's National Veterinary Institute said on Saturday, but it was too early to determine which strain of virus the bird had.
"The result of the virus tests which were carried out today on samples from ducks found in Eskilstuna show that one of them was infected with influenza," the institute said in a statement.
The institute said that at this time of year it is not unusual for 20-30 percent of ducks to carry influenza.
Further tests are being conducted on samples from the duck, which was found on Friday, to determine whether the virus is of the H5 strain and whether it is highly or less pathogenic.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than 60 people Asia since breaking out in late 2003 in South Korea.
It has now reached as far west as European Russia, Turkey, and Romania, transmitted by migrating birds.
H5N1 has triggered widespread concern because it can transfer to people, if they have had prolonged and close contact with infected birds, and some experts fear it could mutate to transfer between humans.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture on Friday advised poultry farmers in the central and southern regions of Svealand and Gotaland to bring birds indoors if possible or feed them in protected areas.
Source: REUTERS
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