Greece says four more swans have deadly bird flu

ATHENS, Mar 11 (Reuters) Greece today confirmed four more cases of the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu in swans found dead near its northern borders, bringing to 30 its total number of wild fowl known to have been infected.

''(They) were confirmed today by the EU lab in London,'' the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement, adding that protective measures had already been in place.

There have been no cases of bird flu identified in Greek farm poultry but sales have plummeted and the government has announced measures, including state-guaranteed loans, to help farmers.

Wildlife experts say Greece had a high number of migratory birds this winter, forced south by an unusually severe winter in northern Europe.

REUTERS CH PM1746