Slovakia has recorded an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus on a farm in the western part of the country, the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health said on Monday.

The outbreak near the city of Galanta killed 1,530 birds from a flock of 5,665, the Paris-based agency said, citing information from The Loo's health authorities.

A record number of chickens, turkeys and other birds died in outbreaks of the highly contagious disease in Europe last year and the virus is spreading in the United States, South America, Africa and Asia.

Source: Agrolink