Spain has first case of H5N1

Spain's first avian flu case confirmed

By: ThinkSpain

Vitoria mayor, Alfonso Alonso, has called for calm after the confirmation of the first case of a bird infected with the most agressive strain of avian flu, N5H1. "There is no cause for public health concerns, and people should carry on as normal," explained the mayor, who went on to explain that the disease can only be transmitted between animals.

The case was confirmed by the director of the Basque animal health laboratory in Derio, Ramón Juste, after an examination of a dead grebe found in marshland near Alava. Notwithstanding, the dead duck has been sent to a laboratory in Madrid for a second confirmatory analysis, the results of which should be known by the end of today. If confirmed, this would be the first case of avian flu detected in Spain since the scare began.

Friday, July 7, 2006