Discrepancies between levels of flu recorded in British birds and those elsewhere in Europe have surfaced yet again, following publication of the biggest study so far of bird flu in Europe. The findings raise concerns about whether British tests would pick up H5N1 bird flu if migratory wild birds carried it into the country.
Researchers in the Netherlands and Sweden analysed influenza A samples taken from 37,000 water birds in northern Europe over eight years. They confirmed that dabbling ducks, especially mallards, are the main carriers of flu viruses, although other birds, including geese, are occasional carriers. On average 6…
