KIEV, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A British laboratory has confirmed the presence of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in Ukraine's Crimea, the Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry said on Saturday.

    Test results from the Veterinary Lab Agency (VLA) in Weybridge,which has the EU's highest authority, confirmed poultry that begandying in large numbers in Crimea three weeks ago was infected withH5N1, a spokesman for the ministry was quoted by the Interfax newsagency as saying.

    About 60,000 domestic fowls have been slaughtered in Crimea since the first case of bird was detected in the area's northeastern corner in early December.

    President Viktor Yushchenko announced last week a state of emergency in the affected areas. Up to now, no human cases of the disease have been reported in Ukraine. Enditem