Hungarian authorities slaughter more than 9,000 newly-hatched geese on farm in southeastern Hungary because of suspicions that they had been infected with deadly strain of bird flu

Hungarian authorities have slaughtered more than 9,000 newly-hatched geese on a farm in southeastern Hungary because of suspicions that they had been infected with a deadly strain of bird flu.

The birds were discovered on a farm in a village, Derekegyhaz, in the area where an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain was detected last week. A European Union laboratory in England confirmed the presence of the strain Monday.

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In response Hungarian officials slaughtered all 3,000 birds in that flock. They also set up a three-kilometer protection zone and a 10-kilometer surveillance zone around the area.

The discovery was the first in an EU country since August.

Bird flu has killed more than 150 people worldwide since 2003, mostly in Asia.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.