dog dies of bird flu

Dog dies of bird flu

From correspondents in Baku
16mar06

A DOG has died of bird flu in Azerbaijan, a country on the crossroads of Europe and Asia where three people have already died from the virus, officials said today.

"A dead stray dog has been found, and after analysis, type A bird flu was discovered. The medical investigation is continuing," said a statement from the state commission tasked with fighting the spread of bird flu.

It said the dog died on March 9 in the capital Baku.

It was the first dog reported to have died of the virus in Europe, although Germany has reported that at least three cats and one stone marten have been infected. Austria has also reported cats infected with the deadly H5N1 strain on flu.

The disease has hit domestic and wild birds throughout the South Caucasus state. The three human victims, who died over the past few weeks, were thought to have been infected through contact with birds.