The European Commission confirmedon Saturday that the avian influenza virus in Romania was the same high pathogenic H5N1 strain found in Asia and in Turkey but said no further measures were necessary.

"Test results from the EU laboratory at Weybridge of the UK confirmed that the virus in Romania was an H5N1 strain," said EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou in a statement.

As a precautionary measure following the confirmation of the H5N1 virus in Turkey on 13 October, the EU executive European Commission had already been working on the assumption that the virus found in Romania was also the H5N1 strain.

"Therefore appropriate measures are already in force", said Commissioner Kyprianou.

A measure blocking the import into the EU of live birds, poultry meat and other poultry products from neighboring Romania came into force last Thursday and a Commission decision on reinforced preventive measures was endorsed by EU experts late Friday.

The Romanian authorities have taken the necessary culling measures and imposed restrictions on the movement of birds within Romania.

"There is no need today to propose specific further measures inresponse to the confirmation of the H5N1 virus in Romania," said Kyprianou.

However, the Commission is continuing to follow the situation closely, he added.

Commissioner Kyprianou is expected to attend the General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday for the discussion on avian influenza threat to the 25-nation bloc.

Source: Xinhua