Birds fly in with a deadly virus

A VIRUS which killed 270 Americans last year is being carried by a large number of British birds, scientists said yesterday.

Traces of the West Nile virus were found in more than half of birds tested by researchers at Oxford's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

The mosquito-borne virus spreads to humans, causing brain inflammation. Scientists said there is no immediate threat to Britons but climate changes were increasing the risk.

They tested birds in Cambridgeshire, Dorset and South Wales.

More than 20 species, including swallows, ducks, magpies, turkeys and chickens, carried antibodies, showing they had been infected but fought it off.

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