H5N1 bird flu outbreak on Czech poultry farm

Of the flock of 6,000 birds, 1,800 had already died when the virus was confirmed. Veterinary officials declared protected areas of up to 10 km in radius around the farm in Tisova, 150 km east of Prague, in which protective measures are being taken. There are about 367,000 poultry in this 10 km zone.

The State Veterinary Authority said test results released on Thursday, 21 June, confirmed that the outbreak of the bird flu virus was H5N1 type.

The remaining birds in the afflicted flock in the village of Tisova are being culled.

Czech Agriculture Minister Petr Gandalovic said nationwide precautionary measures were not necessary, and he did not expect the European Union to introduce export restrictions.

The first case of bird flu in the Czech Republic was found in March 2006, when it was found that wild swans were affected.