PRAGUE, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The first case of bird flu has been discovered in the Czech Republic in a dead swan in south Bohemia, Czech National Veterinary Management Director Milan Malena said on Monday.

    Tests have proved the bird found on the Vltava river near the city of Hluboka nad Vltavou was infected with the H5 strain of the virus, and further tests are set to confirm whether the creature had the highly pathogenic H5N1.

    Malena said the deadly virus's presence could be expected on Wednesday when the results of the tests will be available. The samples are also to be tested in the European Union laboratory in Weybridge, Britain.

    The tests results will determine further preventive steps.

    If the highly infectious form of the virus is confirmed, the South Bohemian Veterinary Management will take extraordinary measures, which will define zones of danger within a radius of 3 to 10 km of the place where the infected bird was found.

    Poultry bred in the area would be counted. Within the high-danger area, outdoor poultry breeding and transfers, including of products, would be banned.

    "It may turn out that the highly pathogenic form of the virus is not involved. If so, there would be no reason to take these measures," said Agriculture Minister Jan Mladek.

    The swan was found near Hluboka last Monday. Testing began on Wednesday and it took experts until this Monday morning to confirm H5's presence. Enditem