Greece confirms four more deadly bird flu cases

[Clytie]

Greek bird flu virus 'highly pathogenic' - European commission

Greek bird flu virus 'highly pathogenic' - European commission

Greek bird flu virus 'highly pathogenic' - European commission AFX News Limited

Greek bird flu virus 'highly pathogenic' - European commission

02.12.2006, 09:04 AM
Forbes.com
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds...fx2519132.html

ATHENS (AFX) - Swans found dead in Greece were carrying the highly pathogenic H5N1 form of the bird flu virus, which can be deadly to humans, the European Commission said, confirming an announcement from Athens.

The European Commission has been informed that test results from the EU Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Weybridge confirm that the outbreak of avian influenza in wild swans in Greece was caused by the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.

'The results come from samples taken from three dead wild swans found in the prefectures of Thessaloniki and Pieria earlier this week,' it said.

The Greek announcement came moments after Italy said the H5N1 virus, which has killed some 90 people, mainly in Asia, had reached its

 

[Theresa42]

Dead swan in schoolyard near Thessaloniki yesterday

Dead swan in schoolyard near Thessaloniki yesterday

Dead birds still ruffle feathers
February 21, 2006

The discovery of a dead swan in a schoolyard near Thessaloniki yesterday sparked concern but veterinarians said that it is common to find dead birds at this time of year, regardless of bird flu being found in Greece.

Local authorities sent a special team to remove the wild swan from the school in Lagadas after schoolchildren were warned by teachers not to approach the dead bird.

The swan will be tested for bird flu as Greece awaits the results of tests from an EU laboratory on three other dead swans found in northern Greece last week. Six birds from Greece have already tested positive for the deadly H5N1 virus.

Greece is one of six countries in the EU to have confirmed cases of the disease but veterinarians have called for people not to panic as birds often die at this time of year due to the cold weather and exhaustion.

Bird pathologist Apostolos Ziogas told Kathimerini that fewer migratory birds will be flying through Greece as most will be flying back from Africa to Northern Europe.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100014_21/02/2006_66651

 

[hawkeye]

3 More Cases in Greece

3 More Cases in Greece

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L0331962.htm