A South American parrot which died in quarantine in Britain has tested positive for avian flu, the Sky News reported on Friday.

The parrot, which was imported in mid-September, was infected with the H5 strain of the virus, the report said.

But the Department for the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs said there is no cause for alarm.

"The confirmed case does not affect the UK's official disease free status," the Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds was quoted by the Sky News as saying. "That's because the disease has been identified in imported birds during quarantine."

It is the first case of avian flu in Britain, which has been found in Romania, Turkey and Greece. Scientists say the disease does not appear able to spread between humans, but there are fears it could mutate.

Source: Xinhua