Malaysia reports new bird-flu case in Penang state

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 20 (Reuters) Malaysia reported a new case of the H5N1 strain of bird flu today among dead chickens in a village in the northern state of Penang.

The six dead chickens were found in Seberang Prai, on the mainland side of a bridge linking the resort island of Penang, which is one of Malaysia's top tourist attractions.

A veterinary official told Reuters that bird culling would begin around the village later on Monday. The case was the third outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Malaysia within a week.

REUTERS DKS VC1458