The Bulgarian authorities confirmed on Thursday the first case of bird flu in domestic fowl in the village of Slanchogled in southern Bulgaria, the state-run BTA reported.

Veterinary experts were called in following mass deaths among domestic birds, the Agriculture Ministry announced at a press conference. Initial tests for avian flu proved positive.

All fowl from three farms in the area have been culled. Health officials have also launched a massive disinfection program and restrictions have been placed on vehicle movements, particularly trucks, Agriculture Minister Nihat Kabil said.

Two people who came into contact with the infected birds are under medical surveillance, he added.

President Georgi Parvanov and Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev are being kept up to date with developments in the bird flu outbreak, other agriculture officials said.

Source: Xinhua