Initial tests show bird flu in Germany

Preliminary tests have shown the presence of bird flu in two dead swans in northern Germany, a government official said today.

The swans were found on the island of Ruegen, agriculture ministry spokeswoman Ulrike Hinrichs said.

She could not immediately say if it was the deadly H5N1 strain.

Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer was scheduled to hold a news conference later.