Taiwan reports new bird flu cases

TAIPEI - Two poultry farms in Taiwan's Yunlin County, a major chicken supplier on the island, were confirmed to be infected with the H5N2 bird flu virus, leading to a culling of more than 30,000 birds, the local animal inspection authority said Tuesday. More than 4,000 birds on a farm in Cihtong Township were killed Tuesday after its chickens tested positive for the H5N2 virus in late March. A large temperature difference has led to a rise in bird flu infections, according to the local animal inspection authority. A total of 117 poultry farms have been infected with highly pathogenic avian flu viruses across Taiwan since the beginning of this year, with 62 of the farms in Yunlin.