Tuesday, July 31, 2007


Jul. 31, 2007 (Xinhua News Agency delivered by Newstex) -- French gov't confirms H5N1 bird flu virus in dead swans

PARIS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- French agricultural ministry confirmed Tuesday that the two dead swans which died on Sunday in the northeastern region of Moselle are infected with a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu virus.

'The French food and health security agency (AFSSA)'s national referral laboratory in Ploufragan confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu strain in two swans which died on July 29 in a pond in Grande Creusiere situated in Diane Capelle of the northeastern region of Moselle,' the ministry said in statement.

Three swans died of the same virus in early July in a pond situated in Assenoucourt, about 15 kms from Grande Creusiere pond.

According to the agriculture ministry, Moselle's local authorities have extended preventive measures which were put in place after the first case of swan death in Assenoncourt.

At the national level, risk prevention measures corresponding to 'high' level are still in force.

Newstex ID: XIN-0001-18557213


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