HONG KONG - HONG Kong's government says seven more dead birds have tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, bringing the total number of recent cases to 11.

The government said in a statement late on Saturday that the seven included a gray heron found in the Mai Po Nature Reserve on Monday, which prompted officials to close the bird sanctuary for three weeks starting on Friday.

The other birds were three chickens and a duck found on outlying Lantau island last week and a peregrine falcon and a chicken found in the suburbs.

The H5N1 strain has killed at least 254 people worldwide since 2003, most through contact with sick birds. Scientists are monitoring the virus because of its potential to mutate into a new human influenza virus, which could infect millions. -- AP