The National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases, Islamabad, has confirmed the presence of Avian Influenza H5N1 virus in the birds found dead in Peshawar, Naushera and Charsadda districts.

Well-informed sources in Veterinary Research Institute NWFP said the Islamabad lab confirmed presence of the virus in black Partridge and dead crows. The lab is also processing the serum samples from Desi layers it received.

The NWFP government, the sources said, is yet to take precautionary measures. They said the Directorate of Livestock and Dairy Development Department had received the report on February 28 from Islamabad but the department has not yet checked the poultry farms and quarantined them. The Islamabad lab had recommended culling of all birds in the premises and disinfecting farms as per standard protocol, the sources informed.