He added, however, that his ministry did not want to prejudge anything and that suspicions of bird flue could be eliminated only after all the necessary tests had been carried out.
Cobankovic called on the press to report responsibly and not write sensationalistic articles spreading panic, given that this was not only about a disease but also about fowl breeding as an important branch of the economy.
He said that if the swans tested positive for bird flu the public would be duly notified, as was the case last October, when Croatia reported and prevented an outbreak of the disease.
The minister said Croatia was carrying our every measure prescribed by law, monitoring birds, and that any suspicious bird could be spotted on time.
Since Friday, 18 dead birds have been found on various locations in Croatia and all have been sent to the National Veterinary Institute Centre for Fowl Breeding.
Tajana Amsel Zelenika from the Centre said that for the time being there were no suspicions that the birds had died of bird flu and that the first results would be known on Friday. She added birds died on a regular basis at this time of year, and that more than 250 had been brought to the Centre this year.