The mighty sparrow carriers

Bird flu reportedly found in Chinese sparrows

By China correspondent Stephen McDonell

Chinese scientists have reportedly found bird flu in sparrows.

It is the first time the virus has been discovered in common, non-migratory birds on the Chinese mainland.

It was thought the H5N1 bird flu was transmitted by migratory water fowl, but this finding indicates ordinary, non-migratory birds can also carry and transmit the virus.

Scientists tested excrement samples from sparrows after a bird flu outbreak in Henan province, and some tested positive.

Health officials have stressed there is still no indication that sparrows pose a risk to humans.

China has reported 21 human bird flu infections since 2003; 14 of those are reported to have died.