Iran's veterinary organisation said today the first cases of the H5N1 strain of bird flu had been detected in the Islamic Republic.
"International laboratory results confirm that wild swans died from bird flu," a statement from the organisation said.
An official from the veterinary organisation, who declined to be named, confirmed the birds had died from the H5N1 strain of the disease, which is dangerous to humans.
The dead swans came from wetlands near the Caspian Sea port of Bandar-e Anzali on Iran's northern coast, a wintering spot for many wildfowl from Russia.
Globally, the overall human death toll from the virus confirmed by the World Health Organisation since 2003 stands at 91.
