Migratory birds

Kuwait has reported two cases of bird flu, the first incidence of the virus in the Persian Gulf region.

Kuwaiti agriculture officials said Thursday that the virus was discovered in two birds, one a migrating flamingo.  It is not clear if the birds were carrying the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.

Italian health officials say a wild duck in northern Italy tested positive for the virus, but posed no threat to humans.

Meanwhile, China has reported two new outbreaks of bird flu among poultry in the northeastern province of Liaoning, bringing the total number of reported outbreaks in the country over the past month to six. 

EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou told officials in Thailand Thursday that the European Union will provide financial assistance in fighting the spread of bird flu.