STOCKHOLM, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Swedish veterinary authorities confirmed Monday that two dead swans found at downtown Stockholm were carrying H5 strain virus, indicating bird flu has probably reached the city.

    The swan carcasses were found separately on an island and on the surface of a frozen lake, both at the center of the capital.

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs, however, had decided not to set up off-limits areas in the city for the time being as the carcasses carrying bird flu viruses appeared not to be in a large number.

    Dozens of wild fowls had been found killed by avian influenza in four southern Swedish regions since the end of February. Among the dead birds, two wild ducks were detected carrying the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain virus.

    The agricultural ministry has said that the viruses were coming up from southern regions. However, it noted that they were not spreading rapidly, thanks to the unusually long winter this year, which held back the migratory speed of north-bound birds.

    While calling for calmness, the government said the work to search dead wild birds will continue in and around the capital for several days, but the residents will not be affected in their normal life. Enditem