BBC: Parrot in quarantine tests positive for H5 in UK

A story on the BBC web site today describes a parrot (not sure what species) that died in quarantine tested positive for an H5 avian influenza virus.  Testing is ongoing to see if it is H5N1.

From the story:

"The bird came from South America, and was held with 216 birds from Taiwan."

and

"The bird, from Surinam, was part of a mixed consignment of 148 parrots and "soft bills" that arrived on 16 September. "

H5N1 has never been reported from either Surinam or Taiwan, although Taiwan did have H5N2 last year.  So if this strain turns out to be H5N1, it means it must have been in contact with other, H5N1 birds in the wildlife trade - who knows where those birds are now?

Damien