Avian flu continued its gradual spread across the globe. New cases of birds infected with the deadly H5N1 virus were reported in countries including Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Egypt and Nigeria in the past week. The Nigerian case marked the first occurrence of the flu in Africa. The virus has killed at least 90 people around the world, mainly in south-east Asia, since the strain appeared in 2003.

There are fears that the disease could spread in the northern hemisphere as spring approaches and birds start their migrations.