Case of H5 bird flu subtype detected, Sweden says

Case of H5 bird flu subtype detected, Sweden says

Tests indicated a duck found in southern Sweden had the H5 bird flu subtype, however more tests were needed to determine whether it was the deadly H5N1 strain, the National Veterinary Institute said Wednesday.

The bird was found in the city of Karlskrona last week. Six other wild ducks found in Sweden had previously tested positive for the H5 subtype.

The latest WHO figures show the H5N1 strain has killed at least 94 people since 2003, mostly in Asia, and devastated poultry stocks. Scientists are concerned that the virus could mutate into a form easily spread between people, sparking a pandemic, reports the AP.

I.L.