Swedish authorities reported Monday that an "aggressive bird flu virus strain" has been detected in two dead swans found in downtown Stockholm, DPA reported. The Board of Agriculture said a 10-kilometre cordon zone that surrounds a three-kilometre no-go zone has been set up around the respective locations but noted that the finds were in densely populated areas. A preliminary search has not revealed any increased number of dead wild birds in the capital, the Agriculture Board said. The protective measures aimed at preventing possible infection of poultry, and would likely only affect people who raise birds for a hobby. In accordance with recommendations issued by the European Union, the agency banned the transports of birds to and from the protection zones. People who raise birds, including hobby flocks and individual pets, within the zones must also report this. Sweden has in recent weeks reported several finds of the H5N1 virus strain that is potentially fatal to humans.
