Deadly strain of bird flu virus found in pigs, China

Chinese authorities say that a deadly strain of bird flu has been found in pigs. Officials say this could seriously undermine the country's efforts in restricting the spread of bird flu to humans.


Chen Hualan, Director of the China National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory, said "A very important point is that in 2003 and 2004 we started finding this virus in pigs in different areas in China. This is a rather dangerous signal in terms of public health."


The strain found was the H5N1 virus.


It was found in the Fujian province, south-east China. It was first found in 2003 and then this year - both cases were in the same farm, said Chen Hualan.


Chen Hualan added that it was the first time the strain had been found in pigs anywhere in the world.


To date, the only animals with bird flu have been birds. Some experts suspected it could be present in pigs - but no cases were ever reported.