# 986
Novosti, the Russian News and Information Agency, is reporting that 50 birds from 5 Siberian regions have tested positive, out of 4,000 samples taken, for the H5N1 virus antibodies.
Although only a small percentage tested positive, these birds appear to be asymptomatic survivors of contact with the virus.
With Germany detecting 240 wild birds that tested positive for the H5 virus in recent weeks, and other recent outbreaks in the Czech Republic and in France, it is pretty clear that wild and migratory birds remain a repository for the virus.
Bird flu antibodies found in migrant birds in Siberia
09:29
17/ 07/ 2007
NOVOSIBIRSK, July 17 (RIA Novosti) - Experts have discovered bird flu antibodies in migrant birds in five Siberian regions, a spokesman for the local veterinary regulator said Tuesday.
"Out of over 4,000 samples taken in the area this year, samples from 50 wild birds were found to contain genetic material of the A-H5 virus and antibodies in their blood serum," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said the presence of antibodies meant that either the birds had survived avian influenza, or remained infected but it had not spread in an open form, and could be transmitted to other birds.
He said no local bird flu cases had been registered this year. "About 6 million poultry are currently in high risk areas. Nearly 4.6 million of them have been vaccinated and over 2.3 million revaccinated," he said.
