Denmark, Sweden Have Bird Flu

From M&C:

"Copenhagen/Stockholm - Danish authorities reported Wednesday that an 'aggressive bird flu virus strain' has been detected in a wild bird.

The find was made in a common buzzard found in a marshy area, near Naestved, some 85 kilometres south of the Danish capital, Copenhagen.

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) said tests have determined that the buzzard was infected with the H5 virus, but tests were pending to determine if the strain was the H5N1 virus strain that is potentially lethal to humans.

Family and Consumer Affairs Minister Lars Barfoed said Danish authorities had been prepared for the find and had activated an action plan.

A 10-kilometre cordon zone that surrounds a three-kilometre no-go zone has been set up around the location, Per Christiansen in charge of emergency measures at the Danish Veterinary and Food Aministration said.

In accordance with recommendations issued by the European Union, the agency advised people in the area to keep their cats indoors and dogs should be on leash. The opening hours for a hotline were also extended.

Meanwhile in Sweden, the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) reported that Sweden has the H5N1 virus."

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Most are predicting H5N1 to hit the states by mid-spring. Of course, we'll be prepared with our already obsolete vaccine that hasn't even been produced yet.