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Bhutan: Bird flu detected in wild birds

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  • Bhutan: Bird flu detected in wild birds

    Source: http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=25617

    Jan 24, 2012
    Bird flu detected in wild birds

    After chickens, the contagious bird flu has now been detected in wild birds.

    Investigations will begin tomorrow in Phuentsholing to find out if the flu would affect the wild bird population in the country.

    The investigation is carried out after the National Incident Command Centre (NICC) for bird flu received reports of some 18 wild birds death that died simultaneously over the last week.

    First, about 15 ?house crows? were found dead on January 19 near the junction of Rabten workshop and GREF camp. House crows are a species that are found in sub-tropical areas like Phuentsholing.

    The satellite veterinary laboratory officer in-charge Tuku Rai said all 15 crows had decomposed and could not be used for laboratory investigation. ?But we managed to find a sick crow from the same area,? Tuku Rai said. ?The sample tested positive for H5 and influenza ?A? virus during the filed investigation.?

    But, the bird tested negative for N1 strain
    Livetsock officials said there is a high chance of a different kind of bird flu virus affecting the wild crow population. ?The sick crow has died but we have collected its bone marrow and brain,? Tuku Rai said. ?No further crow deaths have been reported so far.?

    Focal person for bird flu Dr Tashi Dorji said a ?Blue Fronted Red Start? was also found dead near the regional livestock development centre in Tsimasham campus. It tested positive for H5N1.

    Another pigeon that was found dead near the bird flu outbreak area at Tsimasham had also tested positive for H5N1 as well as the pigeon and a sparrow that were found dead in the Chukha hydro power colony campus...
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