Fears that virus has spread to commercial poultry

French authorities have slaughtered a flock of turkeys amid fears that the H5N1 avian flu virus has found its way into commercial poultry.

The farm is in the Ain region of the country not far from where two wild ducks died from the virus. Local sources report that around 80 per cent of the 11,000 bird flock had died before the culling commenced.

Test results are now awaited to confirm whether H5N1 was responsible. If it was, it will be the first case in commercial poultry within the European Union.