Pakistan confirms bird flu in Islamabad zoo

A deadly strain of bird flu has reportedly killed 24 birds in a zoo in Pakistan capital Islamabad in February.

The National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases tested and confirmed the presence of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu, a meeting presided by the Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao was told on Wednesday.

Officials at the Marghazar Zoo have started screening, disinfection and isolation of birds for early detection of the disease.

Help has been sought from the National Institute for Health and World Health Organisation for screening and preventive medication of all zoo workers.