German health officials have announced that tests confirm that the avian flu virus has been found in a weasel-like mammal called a stone marten, meaning that the virus has been able to make its way to a new species of animal.
Before today’s announcement, bird flu has been found in birds, cats and humans who are in close contact with infected animals. The infected animal was found on the northern German island of Ruegen – where bird flu first appeared in Germany.
There is speculation that the carnivorous mammal caught the disease by eating an infected bird.
