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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Reference laboratory confirms H5N1 virus in Serbia

Belgrade, 9 March 2006

The Veterinary Directorate at the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management stated today that results of the analyses of samples of a dead swan, which was sent to the reference laboratory of the European Union and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in Weybridge in Great Britain, have confirmed the presence of the avian flu subtype H5N1.

Results of the samples of the dead swan, which was found to have the avian flu virus type H5 on March 2 this year by the Specialised Veterinary Institute in Kraljevo, the reference laboratory for avian flu in Serbia, have been confirmed also in the laboratory for viral bird diseases of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency at Weybridge, Great Britain, using the method “real time RT-PCR”.

The laboratory in Weybridge will also carry out further investigation, such as isolating the virus and other tests, about which the public will be kept informed, the statement reads.

Given the fact that the Veterinary Directorate has implemented all measures envisaged according to domestic regulations and recommendations by the EU and OIE, no further measures will be taken on the territory of infected and endangered zones – Backi Monostor, the municipality of Sombor and Bacevci, and the municipality of Bajina Basta, concludes the statement.