First H5N1 case in Denmark poultry

The farm consisted of around 100 birds, including laying hens, ducks, geese and peacocks, and was located in the same area in Denmark where cases of H5N1 bird flu occurred in wild birds in March.


A vet responsible for the region said that the birds had been destroyed after the virus was found.


Authorities have set up a three-kilometre protection zone, and a 10-kilometre observation area around where the infected birds were found.


Early yesterday, Denmark halted exports of poultry from Funen. The government said the outbreak might also force Denmark to halt all its poultry exports to some countries, not just those from the island. But for now, exports of poultry originating from outside the observation zones can continue to EU members.


Denmark has reported a number of cases of the most virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu in wild birds, but this is the first time the Scandinavian country has reported the H5 virus in poultry.


The H5N1 strain, in its most aggressive form, has killed more than 100 people worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation.