Virus detected in Bulgaria unlikely to be H5N1
July 22nd, 2006
The bird flu strain discovered in the Kardzhali region in south Bulgaria is unlikely to be the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, as announced by the Bulgarian National Radio yesterday. The preliminary tests taking place in a Bulgarian laboratory will be confirmed or denied by the final results which are to come from the United Kingdom within 14 days. About 1,500 fowl have been killed in the village of Slanchogled and compensations to the poultry owners will be given starting from Monday. A 3 kilometers perimeter around the settlement remains under observation, as the European Commission will decide on Monday if a ban on bird products from Bulgaria will be put in place.