New outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of bird flu are likely in Moscow and the surrounding provinces, the government veterinary service warned Wednesday, as officials also confirmed the presence of the virus in a southern region of Russia.

The virus, which began killing domestic birds in the Moscow suburbs Feb. 9, has been traced to a single animal market just outside the capital.

Given the large numbers of birds sold at the market, the authorities “expect new outbreaks in the Moscow region” and the surrounding provinces in western Russia, according to the statement sent by the veterinary agency Rosselkhoznadzor to the European Union, the U.S. and other nations.

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