(May 24, 2006)--A federal wildlife expert says swans winging along the Pacific flyway are the wild birds most likely to bring a deadly flu strain to the U.S.
But the head of the Fish and Wildlife Service says officials are even more worried about the black market for exotic birds.
Dale Hall told The Associated Press that "swans are the starting point" for tracking a possible arrival of bird flu.
But he says he's more concerned about the illegal smuggling.
Another official at the U.S. Geological Survey told the A-P a variation of the most dangerous bird flu was found last year in a couple of birds in North Dakota.
He says the first samples taken from migratory birds in Alaska will arrive for testing later this week.
Click Here For More Information On Avian Flu From The World Health Organization
Click Here For Government Flu Information Web Site
Click Here To Read Texas Draft Flu Pandemic Preparedness Plan
