13 Jan 2006

Bird deaths in French Polynesia not linked to avian influenza

8:10 am on 13 January 2006

The director of the French Polynesian environment department, Claude Serra, says the number of dead birds found in Rangiroa atoll doesn't appear to be unusual.

The initial results of a veterinary investigation suggest the phenomenon is not linked to a potential outbreak of bird flu.

At this time of year, migrating birds arrive in French Polynesia from Alaska and New Zealand.