Pakistani officials from the agriculture department take away H5N1 affected chickens after they were culled, at a poultry farm on the outskirts of Karachi, 01 Feb 2008

Pakistani authorities confirm that a deadly strain of the bird flu virus has been detected near the southern city of Karachi.

Authorities say the H5N1 virus has been found at a poultry farm on the outskirts of Pakistan's largest city.

The farm has been quarantined to prevent further spread of the virus.

Health officials say they are monitoring farm workers, but so far there is no sign of human infection.

Pakistan recorded its first human death from bird flu in December.

A man who worked on a poultry farm in North West Frontier Province died. His brother had recently died as well, but was not tested for the virus.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.