German zoo finds H5N1 bird flu in dead swan

BERLIN, Aug 4 (Reuters) A swan found dead in a zoo in the eastern German city of Dresden was infected with the highly infectious H5N1 strain of bird flu which is dangerous for humans, the local government today said.

A government spokeswoman in Dresden said tests carried out by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, which advises the government on animal diseases, had confirmed the disease in the swan which was found on Wednesday.

''We can confirm that this is the highly pathogenic strain,'' said the spokeswoman.

As a protective measure, authorities have sealed off an area of 3 km and a created a 10 km observation zone.

Dresden Zoo remains open but has confined its birds to cages, closed off visitor access to them and stepped up disinfection procedures. Poultry are being examined and the movement of cats and dogs in the area has been restricted.

H5N1 bird flu was discovered in wild birds in Germany in February and in domestic fowl in April.

REUTERS SY VV1510