Deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu confirmed in Britain

A South American parrot that died while in British quarantine was carrying the strain of bird flu that has killed more than 60 people in Asia since 2003, officials said.

"We have established that the strain of the virus is H5N1. This does not affect the UK's official Avian Influenza disease-free status," said department of environment, food and rural affairs (DEFRA) chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds.