OTTAWA (AFX) - A low-pathogenic strain of the H5N1 avian influenza virus has been discovered in wild migratory birds in the central province of Manitoba, Canadian officials announced at the weekend.

The virus was not the same strain that killed more than 60 people and prompted the culling of millions of birds in Asia since 2003, said Brian Evans of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

"Canadians can rest assured that we have not detected the Asian strain of avian influenza of animal or human health concern," Evans said. "The strain detected in Manitoba is completely distinct from the strain currently present in Asia."

"None of these results, based on our assessment to date, are of significant animal or human health concern," he said.

Tests revealed low pathogenic strains of H5N9 in two birds and H5N2 in five birds in the western province of British Columbia, H5N1 in two birds from the central province of Manitoba and H5N3 in two birds from the eastern Quebec province, officials said.

All of the viruses analyzed were "low pathogenic types", "very mild" and "non-virulent" and would produce "only mild disease if any at all if introduced into domestic birds," Evans said.

A lethal subtype of H5, H5N1, is blamed for the deaths of 67 people in Asia since late 2003.

Scientists fear the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which can be contracted through bird-to-human contact, could mutate into a virus spread from human to human, sparking a pandemic that could kill millions.

The samples were gathered by the Canadian Wildlife Services as part of a cross-country testing of viruses carried by wild waterfowl, coordinated through the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre.

The samples were taken from migratory birds, mostly mallards, in seven provinces and sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg for testing.

Evans said Canadian public health and food inspection agencies would expand their survey of wild birds, implement national testing of domestic birds at slaughter facilities, and remind bird owners to follow strict bio-security measures to restrict exposure of their flocks to wild birds.

But, these results should not prompt other countries to restrict the import of Canadian fowl or eggs, Evans added.

On Friday, Canadian officials announced the discovery of the H5 avian influenza virus in a single duck from a farm in British Columbia.

Officials said there was no risk to human health and the duck showed no symptoms, but Canadian Food Inspection Agency personnel quarantined the farm as a precaution.

In 2004, an outbreak of the H7 strain of bird flu hit the area, about an hour east of Vancouver, forcing the culling of millions of domestic birds.

Officials speculated that the duck may have contracted the disease from migratory birds.

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