Bird flu suspected in southern Hungary

Five dead geese from a poultry farm in southern Hungary are being tested for suspected bird flu in Budapest, Hungary's news agency MTI quoted an Agriculture Ministry official as saying on Monday.

Local veterinary officers confirmed that about 40 of the 3,300 geese kept in the farm were showing symptoms of the disease, and five of them have already died, said Fulop Benedek, State Secretary of the Farm Ministry.

Samples of the dead geese have been sent to Budapest for testing. Meanwhile, veterinary authorities set up protection and monitoring zones in the area.

The last case of bird flu in Hungary was reported in June 2006 and all restrictions connected to the disease were lifted in the country at the end of August last year.

Source: Xinhua