07/04/2006

Bird flu tests continue

More dead birds are being tested for bird flu in Scotland, after the first case of the deadly H5N1 virus in a wild bird in the UK was discovered there.

Fourteen birds - 12 swans and two other species - are currently being tested. Nine birds have so far tested negative for the H5N1 virus.

The tests follow the discovery of the deadly virus - which has killed over a hundred people worldwide - in a dead swan found in the coastal village of Cellardyke in Fife.

An initial 3km protection zone was established around Cellardyke, as well as a surveillance zone of 10km. Surveillance zones were later extended to cover around 2,500 km square. This area contains around 3.1 million birds at 175 registered poultry premises. Around 48 are understood to be free-range premises, containing 260,000 birds.

Anyone in the affected area has been ordered to keep their birds indoors to prevent them coming into contact with wild birds and gatherings of birds have been banned.

Movement restrictions on poultry, eggs and poultry products have also been put in place.

On Friday, it was also confirmed that tests were being carried out on three dead seagulls found in a lake in Gloucester.

Test results on a number of dead swans discovered in Northern Ireland yesterday came back negative on Friday.

Defra has said that anyone who finds a dead swan, duck or goose or three or more dead wild or garden birds together should contact the helpline on: 08459 335577.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 April 2006
Chickens culled following bird flu find
Around 35,000 chickens are to be slaughtered at a poultry farm in Norfolk, following the discovery of bird flu among dead chickens. The dead birds were found at the Witford Lodge Farm in Norfolk. It is believed that they were probably infected with the H7 string of the virus, not the deadly H5N1 virus which can be fatal in humans.
15 February 2006
Germany confirms first bird flu cases
German authorities have confirmed the first cases of the H5N1 flu virus in two dead swans found on the island of Reugen on the Baltic coast. This follows on the deadly virus being reported in Austria, Greece, Italy and Iran, which have recently reported cases. Earlier, Austrian officials reported two cases in swans found dead near Graz.
06 April 2006
Bird flu confirmed in Scotland
A swan found dead in Scotland has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, the Scottish Executive has confirmed. The RSPB and the National Farmers Union had earlier confirmed the infection. The swan, a native mute swan, was found in the coastal village of Cellardyke in Fife in Scotland eight days ago.
20 February 2006
UK swans tested for bird flu
Tests are being carried out on nine dead swans found across Britain at the weekend to determine if they were infected by bird flu. The swans were discovered in Bury St Edmunds, Winchester, Preston, Shrewsbury, Thirsk and Hertfordshire. A spokesperson for Defra said that the tests had so far been negative, but said that tests were still continuing.
30 January 2004
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.