Denmark has confirmed its first outbreak of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in domestic fowl, news reaching Stockholm yesterday from the Danish capital Copenhagen said.

The reports said the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research confirmed Friday the outbreak was in a backyard poultry flock on the central island of Funen.

The owners had contacted authorities after 47 birds in the flock died earlier this week. Denmark previously had confirmed 47 cases of H5N1 in wild birds.

Minister for Family and Consumer Affairs Lars Barfoed said the owners had violated Danish rules by not keeping the birds indoors, and could face fines.