At press time, Slovakia was waiting to confirm the death of several wild birds because of the virus, which has killed migratory fowl in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Italy. So far wild birds have been the only kind found to be infected in Europe.

Czech authorities have tested close to 170 dead birds and other poultry for the virus, but have yet to confirm an infection.

"The question is not whether but when the first bird flu case appears in our country," said Josef Duben, spokesman for the State Veterinary Administration.

Tighter border checks on trucks importing animals are also in effect. Health Minister David Rath said Feb. 19 that doctors would soon get special instructions on how to diagnose bird flu symptoms in humans.

Since bird flu first surfaced in Europe in October in Greece the European Union has focused on minimizing the chance of an outbreak that could rival or exceed the flu pandemic of 1918, which killed as many as 30 million to million people.

For that to happen, the flu strain H5N1 — carried by wild birds that can spread it to poultry — would have to mutate to a form that could pass between humans.

Worldwide, 90 deaths have been attributed to H5N1, mostly in Asia and predominantly among those who come into close, regular contact with infected poultry.

Michael Vít, the country's chief public health officer, said vaccines for some 2 million people will be ordered once they are developed, and there is enough of the antiflu drug Tamiflu.

Despite assurances that proper cooking voids any danger, poultry prices have plummeted between 20 percent to 70 percent in some countries but remain steady on the Czech market.