Bird flu announced in Indian state

The Indian state of Tripura has reported new bird flu cases, a month after more than 25,000 birds were slaughtered in the region in an attempt to contain the outbreak.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the HN51 strain of the virus and health officials are now preparing to visit homes in the region to check people for symptoms.

Ashish Barman, head of the state's animal resources department, told AFP: "This is the second time that the deadly bird flu virus has been detected in the state."

The north-eastern state of Tripura borders Bangladesh, where more than half the districts in the country have been affected by bird flu. Officials fear the virus may be spreading from across the border.

More than 40,000 birds were culled in the state last month following the outbreak of the disease.

South Korean authorities said on Monday that a soldier who had participated in the culling of infected birds was now being treated in a military hospital for showing symptoms of the disease.