H5N8 bird flu strain reported in Italy

Highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu strain was reported at a turkey farm in northern Italy, media reported on Wednesday.The outbreak was “ascertained” by local health authorities at the farm, which is located near the city of Rovigo, in Veneto region, Xinhua reported citing ANSA news agency. The virus was reported to present strong similarities with the outbreaks registered in other European countries in latest weeks, the report added. Local media reports said more than 1,200 birds were found dead from the virus.