16 October 2005 -- European Union officials said testing at a British laboratory has confirmed that the virus found in Romania is the deadly H5N1 strain that has killed 60 people in Asia.
The bird flu virus that was recently detected in ducks in Romania is the strain that can be contracted by humans.
An outbreak of the same strain was confirmed in western Turkey on 14 October.
The European Commission has advised national governments to pinpoint areas most at risk and to keep poultry separate from migratory birds that could carry the virus.
Health officials have expressed concern that the virus could mutate into a form that could be passed easily between human beings.
(news agencies)
See also: Bird Flu FAQ
An outbreak of the same strain was confirmed in western Turkey on 14 October.
The European Commission has advised national governments to pinpoint areas most at risk and to keep poultry separate from migratory birds that could carry the virus.
Health officials have expressed concern that the virus could mutate into a form that could be passed easily between human beings.
(news agencies)
See also: Bird Flu FAQ