Deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu confirmed in Afghanistan

Deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu confirmed in Afghanistan

Lab tests have confirmed an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in Afghanistan, the United Nations and the government said in a joint statement Thursday.

"The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has today been confirmed in Afghanistan in six samples," it said.

The announcement comes a day after the government said it was almost certain of an H5N1 outbreak, but further tests at a U.N Food and Agriculture Organization lab in Italy were needed to confirm it, reports the AP.

I.L.