Finland reports possible case of avian flu; unlikely to be feared H5N1...

[Cadfael]

http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=aa105a6b-655c-41f9-be96-880feeb31582

August 26, 2005


HELSINKI, Finland (AP) - A suspected case of avian flu has been found in northern Finland, but authorities said Friday they doubt it is the feared H5N1 strain that emerged in Asia.

Finland's Agriculture Ministry said the case involved a gull near the city of Oulu, some 600 kilometres north of Helsinki. Final results of tests were expected in three weeks.

Authorities said it was the first case of avian flu ever found in Finland, but that details on the particular strain of virus were still unclear.

Riitta Heinonen at the ministry said it was possible, but unlikely, that the cause involved the H5N1 strain, the one circulating in Asia and in eastern Russia, which scientists fear might spark a human pandemic. There has not so far been a recorded case of the H5N1 strain in Europe.