13.03.2006

The first case in Germany of avian influenza in domestic poultry may have been identified in the southern state of Bavaria, the state's environment ministry said.
Seven young ducks were found dead on a poultry farm in the district of Lichtenfels and initial tests confirmed an influenza virus. The Federal Research Institute for Animal Health will now determine whether it is the H5N1 virus.
At the moment the case is rated as suspicious.
A total of six of Germany's 16 states have now detected the H5H1 strain, mainly in wild birds. Avian influenza was first detected in Germany last month in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. To date poultry has not been affected in Germany.