Dead goose carried bird flu virus

BEIJING, March 5 (UPI) -- A goose carcass found on a Chinese beach has tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus, officials in Hong Kong said.

The decomposed carcass was found at a beach near Sham Shek Tsuen Lantau, said Xinhua, China's official news agency.

Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said Friday there were no poultry farms within 3 miles of where the dead bird was discovered.

A spokesman for the department said officials should remain on the lookout for sick birds and that it would work to prevent the illegal importation of poultry and birds into the city.