Germany confirms bird flu
cases
Germany has confirmed that
two swans found dead in the north of the country had the
deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.
The birds were found on the
island of Ruegen in the Baltic Sea, off Germany.
Austria also confirmed its
first cases of bird flu, also in two dead swans. Sweden
and Denmark have ordered poultry to be kept indoors as a
precaution.
The United Nations food
agency has urged governments in Western Europe not to
panic, but warned the virus could spread further when
birds migrate.
The H5N1 strain of the
virus, which can kill humans through contact with
infected animals, has recently been found in Italy,
Greece and Bulgaria.