Low pathogenic virus found in Ohio
October 17th, 2006
A number of pintail birds tested in Ohio have revealed traces of low pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus, as the US government announced on Saturday. The birds were tested as part of a nationwide plan of early detection of the disease, and come in addition to other case discovered so far in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Michigan. The birds appeared healthy as samples were collected just a week before in Ottawa County, just southeast of Toledo. Officials have given reassurances that this is not a case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus that is ravishing the Asian continent. A second batch of tests that could take up to three weeks to complete is expected to confirm the exact nature of the virus.