H5N1 bird flu found in Czech Republic

The EU reference lab in Britain today confirmed tests indicate a dead swan found in the south of the Czech Republic had the H5N1 bird flu virus, an official said.

The country’s veterinary authority spokesman Josef Duben said the H5N1 virus was detected in a swan found March 22 on the Vltava river near Hluboka, 80 miles south of Prague.

Another dead swan found on Saturday near Ceske Budejovice, 93 miles south of Prague, tested positive for the H5 virus, and further tests will be conducted to determine whether it had the H5N1 strain, Duben said.