BERLIN, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The bird flu has reached Germany after two wild swans were tested positive for the virus' deadly H5N1 strain.
The two dead swans were found among a group of diseased birds on the Baltic Sea island of Ruegen. Initial tests have identified the H5N1 strain, which is dangerous to humans; further test results are expected for Thursday.
German health officials are anxious to contain the bird flu and keep it as far away from humans as possible. Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer said during a TV interview Tuesday that officials would do everything "to ensure the virus is not passed from wild birds to domestic birds."
He has declared a two-mile security zone around the place where the swans were discovered and also ordered all poultry farmers within 6 miles to immediately bring their livestock indoors.
A similar measure applying to all German farmers will come into effect Friday, Seehofer said. Meanwhile, European Union animal disease experts are holding talks in Brussels Wednesday to discuss how to best face growing bird flu threat.
The disease cannot presently be spread between humans, but experts fear the virus could mutate and cause a worldwide epidemic.
