Bosnia-Herzegovina authorities said in Sarajevo on Monday that its first case of deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was confirmed by the EU reference laboratory in Britain's Weybridge.

Jozo Bagaric, head of the Veterinary Office, told the media that the H5N1 strain was confirmed in two out of four swans found dead at Plivsko Jezero lake near the Midwestern Bosnian town of Jajce on Feb. 16.

A week ago, Bagaric said the H5 strain was confirmed in two outof the four dead swans. Samples were sent to the EU laboratory to determine whether it is the deadly H5N1 strain.

Bosnia-Herzegovina lies on one of the paths for migratory birds from central and northern Europe flying south. The Western Balkan country has taken a series of measures to prevent the spread of the bird flu virus, including culling more than 4,000 poultry from households near the infected swans.

It also banned imports of live birds and poultry products from 17 countries after they reported cases of bird flu.