Bird flu suspected in Wash. swans

WASHINGTON - Scientists have discovered possible bird flu in two wild swans on the shore of Lake Erie - but it does not appear to be the much-feared Asian strain that has ravaged poultry and killed at least 138 people elsewhere in the world. Yesterday, the Agriculture Department declared that initial testing had ruled out the so-called highly pathogenic version of H5N1. They could have a relatively harmless, low-grade H5N1 strain instead. “This is not the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus that has spread through much of other parts of the world,” said Ron DeHaven, administrator of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, adding, “We do not believe this virus represents a risk to human health.” However, it will take up to two weeks to determine whether the seemingly healthy wild mute swans in Michigan harbored the H5N1 virus. Yesterday’s announcement was the first reported hit from a massive new program to test up to 100,000 wild birds in an effort to catch the deadly Asian H5N1 virus if it does wing its way to North America, something the government thinks could happen this year. Wild birds, especially waterfowl, are flu’s natural reservoir - they carry a multitude of influenza viruses. Sometimes, those strains jump species, and if it’s a flu virus very different from one people have experienced before, a worldwide pandemic could result. http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=152862