Peru has reported its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza after the disease struck some wild pelicans, the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) said, quoted by BTA.

The type A H5 virus has killed 200 pelicans that were found on a beach in the northern province of Paita, the WHO said, citing a report by Peruvian authorities.

Commonly referred to as bird flu, the disease is often carried by wild birds, which can then pass the virus on to poultry flocks.

Bird flu in Europe has reduced foie gras production

A wave of cases in Europe and the United States has led to the culling of tens of millions of poultry, with experts fearing that the disease has not abated in the northern hemisphere.

Mexico said this week it would begin vaccinating birds in high-risk areas after the highly contagious H5N1 strain was first detected in the country last month.

bird flu outbreak

Peru