Independent tests confirm H5N1 in Myanmar -FAO

BANGKOK, Mar 16 (Reuters) Independent tests have confirmed an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in central Myanmar, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said today.

A Bangkok laboratory confirmed the findings of Myanmar officials who announced the country's first outbreak in the central Mandalay Division on Monday, said He Changchui, the FAO's regional representative for the Asia-Pacific region.

''Our network laboratory test confirmed it's H5N1,'' he told Reuters.

REUTERS DKS SP1303