11 dead starlings examined in France amid bird flu fears

Eleven starlings found dead in central France were brought to a laboratory for testing as a precaution amid bird flu fears, French officials confirmed Wednesday.

The birds were all found under the same tree in the city of Macon - meaning they likely died not from disease but from some other problem, such as a falling tree branch or poisoning.

Initial lab results are expected Thursday afternoon.

No cases of bird flu have been reported in France, but the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease was detected in birds in Asia, Romania, Russia and Turkey, raising fears it would spread to the rest of Europe, the AP reports.

V.Y.