Hungary seventh EU state hit by disease

THE H5N1 form of bird flu was confirmed in Hungary, the seventh EU country afflicted with the lethal strain, even as health officials on three continents admitted containment measures taken so far have proved largely ineffective.

At least 15 nations have reported outbreaks this month, an indication that the virus is spreading faster.

Migratory birds are thought to be one way the disease is being carried and more than 30 countries have reported cases since 2003, seven of them recording human infections.