A domestic goose that died in Canada 's western Prince Edward Island province earlier this week tested positive for an H5 avian flu virus, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed Friday.

The preliminary test result, made by the Atlantic Veterinary College in provincial capital Charlottetown, showed the goose had an H5 virus. But it is not yet clear whether the virus was the cause of death, Dr. Jim Clark, director of animal health for the CFIA, said in Ottawa.

Samples are being flown to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg where further testing will be done to confirm that the virus is of the H5 subtype and to type the neuraminidase or N of the virus, Clark said.

The goose was part of a mixed backyard flock of chickens, ducks and geese that were being raised for personal consumption. Four geese died Monday, though the owner only submitted one for testing.

Clark said all the birds in the flock have been destroyed as a precautionary measure.

Source: Xinhua