LONDON, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- British officials are downplaying reports that nine swans found dead are being tested for bird flu after France found its first positive case of the virus.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has continued to spread through Europe after first appearing in Asia in 2003. Since then more than 90 people have died from bird flu and millions of birds and livestock have been culled to prevent it from spreading.
The Telegraph of London reports Defense Secretary John Reid urged calm from citizens saying there are no positive results from tests carried out on swans found this weekend.
The announcement by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs comes as European ministers meet to plan a course of action if bird flu catches on there.
In India 500,000 birds are being killed and more quarantined to prevent spreading.
Bird flu passes from animal to animal and on rare occasions animal to human. Scientists fear the virus will mutate to be passed from human to human, sparking a worldwide pandemic.
