18 July 2006

MADRID — The Basque government was told a dead bird may have had deadly bird flu virus a week before it took any action, it was reported on Tuesday.

The authorities did not seal off the area where the bird carrying the H5N1 virus was discovered, according a report on the case.

The report by Neiker laboratory in the Basque Country, which carried out the first test on the remains of a crested grebe which contracted the virus, said the authorities failed to isolate the area – breaking European Commission guidelines.

Spain's first case of bird flu was detected on 30 June in the wetlands of Salburua in Alava.

The EC protocol states authorities must immediately create a 3km isolation zone and increase testing of other birds in an area of 10km.

The Spanish daily El Pais reported despite the first confirmation bird flu had been discovered, the Basque authorities waited for two other laboratory tests to be carried out before it acted.

The Basque regional government said it was concerned about the reliability of the first tests carried out by Neiker and did not want to alarm the public.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news