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Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia Report New Bird Flu Outbreaks


Afghan authorities say they have detected two more cases of bird flu in the capital, Kabul, and one in eastern Kunar province.

The findings come just days after the United Nations confirmed the first incident of the deadly H5N1 strains of the virus in the country.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's health minister says a dead swan found on the shores of the Caspian Sea died of bird flu and that tests are under way to see whether it was infected by the H5N1 strain.

Also Monday, Malaysian authorities reported new cases of H5N1 bird flu among dead chickens in Penang state -- a third such finding within a week.

Earlier, Israel's Agriculture Ministry said the bird flu virus found in poultry in southern Israel is the lethal H5N1 strain.

Bird flu has spread across parts of Europe, Africa and Asia, killing about 100 people since 2003. Health officials have warned it could mutate into a virus that can be easily transmitted between humans and create a global pandemic.

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

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