Baku, March 15 (Reuters): A dog has died of bird flu in Azerbaijan, a country on the crossroads of Europe and Asia where three people have already died from the virus, officials said today.

“A dead stray dog has been found, and after analysis type A bird flu was discovered. The medical investigation is continuing,” said a statement from the state commission tasked with fighting the spread of bird flu.

It said the dog died on March 9 in the capital Baku.

It was the first dog reported to have died of the virus in Europe, although Germany has reported that at least three cats and one stone marten have been infected. Austria has also reported cats infected with the deadly H5N1 strain on flu.