Denmark confirms first case of bird flu

Danish authorities on Friday confirmed the country's first cases of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus among domesticated birds.

Photo: Denmark confirms first case of bird flu

Denmark confirms first case of bird flu

The outbreak was in a backyard poultry flock on the central island of Funen . Denmark previously had confirmed 47 cases of H5N1 in wild birds.

Poul Joergensen of the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research said the tests on two guinea fowl and a peacock on Friday confirmed suspicions they were infected with H5N1.

The owners had contacted authorities after 47 birds in the flock died earlier this week.

On Thursday, veterinary authorities set up a special protection zone with a 3-kilometer (2-mile) radius around the village of Hundslev , near Kerteminde. They also culled the other 53 birds in the flock, which included ducks and geese.

Minister for Family and Consumer Affairs Lars Barfoed said the owners had violated Danish rules by not keeping the birds indoors, and could face fines.

Kerteminde is 145 kilometers (90 miles) west of the capital, Copenhagen , reports the AP.

I.L.