Brazil's Tocantins rules out highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial flock

SAO PAULO, May 21 (Reuters) - Brazil's state of Tocantins has ruled out the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as bird flu, in a local commercial farm citing preliminary test results, according to a statement sent to Reuters on Wednesday.

Adapec, as the state's farm agency is known, said authorities started the investigation on a local commercial chicken farm after seven animals, out of about 40,000 individuals, presented "torticollis", the statement said.