# 2416
Two reports out of Sweden over the past two days indicate that geese on a farm near Vara in south-western Sweden may have been exposed to a bird flu virus. Routine surveillance, reportedly has detected bird flu antibodies in some of the flock.
For now, no word as to the type of bird flu antibodies that have been detected. Reports deny any bird die offs, or that any of the birds are sick.
This would suggest a low-pathogenic stain of bird flu.
But tests are underway, and we should know in the next few days. Antibodies do not necessarily point to an active infection. They simply indicate that exposure to a virus has occurred some time in the past.
A double hat tip to Helblindi and Shiloh on Flutrackers for posting links to these two reports.
First from New Tang Dyansty Television. There is a VIDEO report available with this story, as well.
Bird Flu Emerges in Sweden
Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:24:00
A farm near Vara in south-western Sweden was sealed off today as a precautionary measure while more tests are being carried out to establish whether the geese on the farm are infected with bird flu. No animals were said to be sick.
Routine tests already taken on the geese on the farm indicated they had antibodies against bird flu in the blood, meaning that infection could not be ruled out.
[Robert Horst, Skaraborg’s Chief Veterinarian]:
"During a routine investigation anti-bodies against the bird flu virus have been found... That means that the birds on the farm have been in contact with the virus."
"We have found anti-bodies and then it's important that we continue investigating to either confirm that the virus is on the farm or that we can say that it was a false alarm."
This is the first time antibodies have been found in a tame poultry population in Sweden. Ingrid Eilertz at the Swedish Board of Agriculture told Swedish radio tests were now being carried out to establish the type of virus the geese had established antibodies against, as there are many kinds of bird flu virus.
The highly pathogenic form of the bird flu virus can affect humans. Over a thousand of hens and geese have been tested, and most results have turned out positive. When the test results are known, some time this week, the Board of Agriculture will decide what steps to take.
This report from Radio Sweden.
12:09 | Tuesday 21 October 2008
Avian flu can be here
Photo: Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / Scanpix.A gåsbesättning in Vara Municipality in Västergötland can be infected with bird flu. It may be the first bird found in Sweden.
Samples have been taken at geese on the farm have shown that they have antibodies in their blood against bird flu and that means according to the Agriculture Department that the infection can not be excluded.
It will now be tested if it is about the so-called highly pathogenic form of avian flu in geese suffered, the form that also can affect humans, "says Ingrid Eilertz at the Agriculture Department to Sveriges Radio Skaraborg.
Last week, was 40 samples of geese and 34 of them were found to be positive.
Agriculture Department blocked the farm on Tuesday morning, as a preventive measure, and further samples will be taken. No animals were reported to be ill.
This is the first time antibodies have been found in a Sweden.
