Ducks at Dutch farm killed as preventive step

The Dutch Agriculture Ministry confirmed Monday a fourth fowl farm this year has been emptied as a preventive measure after the farm found birds with antibodies against bird flu.

''We cannot say anything more than that the farm in Liempde (in southeastern Netherlands) has been cleared of fowls. No other farms are currently under danger,'' a ministry spokeswoman said.

The spokesman confirmed the ducks came from a farm outside the Netherlands but declined to give details.

On Monday, European farm ministers are assembling in Brussels for their regular meeting where Dutch Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman is scheduled to give details.

The ducks found with antibodies last week at a farm near Utrecht also originated from abroad.

Last Saturday, 99 animals were killed, including 35 chickens, 34 ducks and 24 doves.

Last year a similar mutation of the virus caused a quarter of all Dutch poultry to be slaughtered.

Bird flu has hit Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.

At least 100 million birds have died or have been culled to control the disease in Asia and more than 20 people died in Thailand and Vietnam.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo News International, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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