H5n8 Avian Flu Strain

Japan has confirmed the highly pathogenic bird flu subtype H5N8 was detected at a poultry farm in the third outbreak of avian influenza in the country this winter, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

Russia said Saturday that its scientists had detected the world's first case of transmission of the H5N8 strain of avian flu from birds to humans and had alerted the World Health Organization.

Cases of avian influenza have been reported from Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur on Wednesday, making it the fifth district in the state after Jhalawar, Kota, Baran and Jaipur to be affected by H5N8 strain of bird flu, officials said.

Culling of chickens and ducks began in parts of Kerala today to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu, while Jammu and Kashmir sounded an alert and started collecting samples from migratory species after Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh reported cases of the avian influenza.

In Kerala, the H5N8 strain of Avian Influenza has been confirmed in parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam. Of the eight samples sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory, the influenza - commonly known as Bird Flu - has been detected in five.

Britain on Friday announced the discovery of a highly contagious strain of bird flu at a turkey farm, and sought to allay fears the outbreak could affect the traditional Christmas meal.

France widened "high risk" restrictions to the entire country after the detection of several cases of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu strain.

France raised to "high" the risk level across the country after the detection of several cases of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu strain in Southwestern France farms and in wild ducks in Northern France, the farm ministry said on Tuesday.

A severe strain of H5N8 bird flu that has hit several countries in Europe leading to the culling of thousands of poultry was detected in wild ducks in Northern France, the farm ministry said on Monday.

Taiwan's agriculture authority confirmed Sunday that the strain of bird flu found in a goose breeding facility was H5N8.

Japan has confirmed the highly pathogenic bird flu subtype H5N8 was detected at a poultry farm in the third outbreak of avian influenza in the country this winter, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

Russia said Saturday that its scientists had detected the world's first case of transmission of the H5N8 strain of avian flu from birds to humans and had alerted the World Health Organization.

Cases of avian influenza have been reported from Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur on Wednesday, making it the fifth district in the state after Jhalawar, Kota, Baran and Jaipur to be affected by H5N8 strain of bird flu, officials said.

Culling of chickens and ducks began in parts of Kerala today to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu, while Jammu and Kashmir sounded an alert and started collecting samples from migratory species after Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh reported cases of the avian influenza.

In Kerala, the H5N8 strain of Avian Influenza has been confirmed in parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam. Of the eight samples sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory, the influenza - commonly known as Bird Flu - has been detected in five.

Britain on Friday announced the discovery of a highly contagious strain of bird flu at a turkey farm, and sought to allay fears the outbreak could affect the traditional Christmas meal.

France widened "high risk" restrictions to the entire country after the detection of several cases of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu strain.

France raised to "high" the risk level across the country after the detection of several cases of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu strain in Southwestern France farms and in wild ducks in Northern France, the farm ministry said on Tuesday.

A severe strain of H5N8 bird flu that has hit several countries in Europe leading to the culling of thousands of poultry was detected in wild ducks in Northern France, the farm ministry said on Monday.

Taiwan's agriculture authority confirmed Sunday that the strain of bird flu found in a goose breeding facility was H5N8.