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05/02/2007
Experts search for source of bird flu
Scientists are attempting to find the source of an outbreak of bird flu at a turkey farm in Suffolk.
Nearly 160,000 turkeys are being slaughtered at the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton, near Lowestoft, following the discovery of the deadly H5N1 virus. The dead birds are being transported in sealed lorries to Cheddleton in Staffordshire, where they will be incinerated.
A three kilometre protection zone is in place around the farm and all poultry in the area have to remain indoors and be tested for the virus. A ten kilometre surveillance zone is also in place, with no movement of poultry allowed unless they are being moved for slaughter.
Since January 2003, 164 people have died from H5N1, mainly in southeast Asia. All those who became infected had come into close contact with infected birds. However, there have been fears that the virus could mutate into a form which passes easily between humans, creating a pandemic.
It is understood that 100 of the 2,000 employees of the farm have been given the Tamiflu anti-viral drug.
According to reports, the virus was found in only one shed out of the 22 at the farm.
Both Bernard Matthews and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that none of the infected birds had entered the food chain and that there was no risk to the public, because the virus cannot be transmitted through food.
However, there have been reports that Japan and Russia have temporarily suspended all imports of UK poultry.
Cobra, the government's emergency contingencies committee, is met on Monday in order to discuss the outbreak.
Environment Secretary David Miliband told the Commons on Monday afternoon that the Food Standards Agency said that there was no risk to the public from eating poultry or eggs.
(KMcA)
Nearly 160,000 turkeys are being slaughtered at the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton, near Lowestoft, following the discovery of the deadly H5N1 virus. The dead birds are being transported in sealed lorries to Cheddleton in Staffordshire, where they will be incinerated.
A three kilometre protection zone is in place around the farm and all poultry in the area have to remain indoors and be tested for the virus. A ten kilometre surveillance zone is also in place, with no movement of poultry allowed unless they are being moved for slaughter.
Since January 2003, 164 people have died from H5N1, mainly in southeast Asia. All those who became infected had come into close contact with infected birds. However, there have been fears that the virus could mutate into a form which passes easily between humans, creating a pandemic.
It is understood that 100 of the 2,000 employees of the farm have been given the Tamiflu anti-viral drug.
According to reports, the virus was found in only one shed out of the 22 at the farm.
Both Bernard Matthews and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that none of the infected birds had entered the food chain and that there was no risk to the public, because the virus cannot be transmitted through food.
However, there have been reports that Japan and Russia have temporarily suspended all imports of UK poultry.
Cobra, the government's emergency contingencies committee, is met on Monday in order to discuss the outbreak.
Environment Secretary David Miliband told the Commons on Monday afternoon that the Food Standards Agency said that there was no risk to the public from eating poultry or eggs.
(KMcA)
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06 February 2007
Bird flu farm disinfected
The Suffolk turkey farm at the centre of an outbreak of bird flu is being disinfected following the cull of almost 160,000 birds. All the birds at the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton, near Lowestoft, following the discovery of the deadly H5N1 virus, were transported in sealed lorries to Cheddleton in Staffordshire, where they are to be incinerated.
Bird flu farm disinfected
The Suffolk turkey farm at the centre of an outbreak of bird flu is being disinfected following the cull of almost 160,000 birds. All the birds at the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton, near Lowestoft, following the discovery of the deadly H5N1 virus, were transported in sealed lorries to Cheddleton in Staffordshire, where they are to be incinerated.
07 February 2007
Negative test for bird flu farm vet
A vet who fell ill after visiting the Suffolk turkey farm affected by a bird flu outbreak, has tested negative for the disease. The vet had developed respiratory problems and checked himself into the City Hospital in Nottingham, complaining of mild non-specific symptoms.
Negative test for bird flu farm vet
A vet who fell ill after visiting the Suffolk turkey farm affected by a bird flu outbreak, has tested negative for the disease. The vet had developed respiratory problems and checked himself into the City Hospital in Nottingham, complaining of mild non-specific symptoms.
12 February 2007
Bird flu farm exclusion zone 'may have been broken'
The exclusion zone set up around a Bernard Matthews turkey farm may have been broken, according to reports. It has been claimed that cooked poultry products were sent from the farm in Upper Holton in Suffolk to Hungary after the deadly H5N1 virus was discovered there.
Bird flu farm exclusion zone 'may have been broken'
The exclusion zone set up around a Bernard Matthews turkey farm may have been broken, according to reports. It has been claimed that cooked poultry products were sent from the farm in Upper Holton in Suffolk to Hungary after the deadly H5N1 virus was discovered there.
15 November 2007
Second Farm Cull Ordered At Bird Flu Fears Spread
Another slaughter of birds has begun on a second farm in Suffolk amid fears that the deadly bird flu virus discovered earlier this week has spread.
Second Farm Cull Ordered At Bird Flu Fears Spread
Another slaughter of birds has begun on a second farm in Suffolk amid fears that the deadly bird flu virus discovered earlier this week has spread.
08 February 2007
Two farm workers test negative for bird flu
Two employees at a Suffolk turkey farm affected by a bird flu outbreak have tested negative for the disease. It is understood that both workers from the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton, near Lowestoft, had reported respiratory problems, but were subsequently found not to have contracted the deadly H5N1 virus.
Two farm workers test negative for bird flu
Two employees at a Suffolk turkey farm affected by a bird flu outbreak have tested negative for the disease. It is understood that both workers from the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton, near Lowestoft, had reported respiratory problems, but were subsequently found not to have contracted the deadly H5N1 virus.
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