Germany detects H5N1 bird flu in two dead ducks

BERLIN, Aug 4 (Reuters) Two ducks found dead near Munich in southern Germany tested positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus and a third was contaminated with a milder strain, a state laboratory said.

The three ducks were found dead near Speichersee, a lake to the northeast of Munich, Elke Reinking, spokeswoman for the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, said yesterday. The surrounding area would be searched for any other dead birds.

Last year, some 13 European Union member states had confirmed cases of bird flu -- Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Britain, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, France and Hungary.

More than 30 countries have reported outbreaks in the past year, in most cases involving wild birds.

Globally, the H5N1 virus has killed nearly 200 people out of over 300 known cases, according to the World Health Organisation. None of the victims were from Europe.

REUTERS PY KP1906