Virus confirmed in Netherlands
August 14th, 2006
The first occurrence of the H5N1 strain of bird flu virus has been confirmed in the Netherlands. Two young owls were recently found dead in a zoo in Rotterdam and subsequent testing of samples from the birds revealed they were infected with the deadly disease. A routine test done by the Wild Life Health Center first found early traces of the virus. Later a specialized laboratory confirmed the result. The zoo has not been closed and will remain open, but with restrictions set in place to protect, visitors, staff, as well as other animals kept there. The source of the virus is unknown, but it is reported that staff members have been given prophylactic medication by health authorities.