23.02.2006

Several dead swans were found in a reservoir in Graz-Umgebung district on 13 and 14 February 2006. First results of the Austrian Agency were H5N1-positive. Confirmation was provided by the OIE/European Union (EU) reference laboratory for avian influenza, Weybridge, United Kingdom.
Since 19 February, the entire country is defined as a “risk area” - all poultry to be kept indoors, enforced biosecurity measures, prohibition of bird markets, in accordance with EU legislation.
Protection and surveillance zones have been established around the reservoir.
Other suspicions have occurred in the Federal Provinces of Steiermark (Hartberg district), Niederosterreich (Korneuburg district), and Vienna. Protection and surveillance zones have been established around all places where suspect wild birds have been found (OIE).