Tuva reports cases of deaths among wild birds

Two wild birds - a duck and a magpie -- have been found dead near Lake Sharonur in the republic of Tuva - the first such case among wild birds reported. A group of specialists from the Emergencies Ministry and epidemiologists work at the site, the Emergencies Ministry's Siberian regional centre told Itar-Tass. The specialists examine the lake area to find out whether there are other dead birds. The remains of the birds are taken to Novosibirsk for laboratory tests to establish whether it is bird flu virus, an officer on duty at the regional emergencies department said.

Local hunters are warned about the danger. They are also asked to report to the veterinary service if they find dead birds. Bird flu has been reported in Siberia's Novosibirsk and Omsk Regions and in the Altai Territory.