Brussels, 28/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 28 February the spokesperson for Commissioner Kyprianou gave an update on the spread of avian flu in the EU. The presence of the H5N1 highly pathogenic virus has been identified in wild birds in eight countries: Greece, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Germany, France, Slovenia and Slovakia. Sweden may soon be added to this group after the discovery of the virus in two wild ducks (samples were analysed on Tuesday by the reference laboratory at Weybridge in the United Kingdom). At this stage, the only case of poultry infection is that of a turkey farm in the department of Ain in France, explained Philip Tod. In the Union's neighbouring countries, avian flu has been detected in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. During an IOE meeting in Paris, veterinary experts from 50 countries in Europe called on the European Commission to support eastern European laboratories to speed up analysis procedures for detecting the virus. Experts pointed out that the epizooty had spread very rapidly and is about to cover the whole continent affecting both wild and farmed birds. The incidence of the disease may increase with the next migratory waves from Africa and the Middle East but Dr Marc Artois stressed that this should not have an effect on farm chickens if recommendations for quarantine and vaccination are respected. Asked about the risks linked to pigeons, Mr Tod indicated that an IOE work group was currently examining possible recommendations for certain kinds of birds, including pigeons. Dr Artois said that the pigeon is a pest, not just because of bird flu but because the risk of contracting another more pathogenic disease other than bird flu, is much higher for human beings (psittacosis, salmonella, cryptococcosis, in particular).