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Bird flu outbreak may prompt cull Bird flu outbreak prompts culling
(about 3 hours later)
As many as 160,000 birds could be culled after it emerged that avian flu killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm. As many as 159,000 birds are to be culled after it emerged that avian flu killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm.
The birds at the Bernard Matthews farm, Holton, tested positive for H5. Tests are under way to ascertain if it is the H5N1 strain, which can kill humans. According to the European Commission the birds at the Bernard Matthews farm, Holton, tested positive for the H5N1 strain, which can kill humans.
Vets were called to the farm late on Thursday night, said the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.Vets were called to the farm late on Thursday night, said the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
A spokeswoman said the risk of the disease spreading to humans was low and there was no need for panic. A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone has now been set up around the farm.
She added: "Avian influenza is a disease of birds and whilst it can pass very rarely and with difficulty to humans, this requires extremely close contact with infected birds, particularly faeces. A Defra spokeswoman said the risk of the disease spreading to humans was low and there was no need for panic.
"At this stage there is no definite confirmation that this is a virus that has human health implications." She added: "Avian influenza is a disease of birds and whilst it can pass very rarely and with difficulty to humans, this requires extremely close contact with infected birds, particularly faeces."
DEFRA CONTINGENCY PLAN Full document (979KB) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here href="#graphic">If bird flu hits the UK Quick Guide: Bird Flu DEFRA CONTINGENCY PLAN Full document (979KB) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here href="#graphic">When bird flu hits the UK Quick Guide: Bird Flu
Defra said there were 160,000 other turkeys on the farm. Defra said there were 159,000 other turkeys on the farm.
If H5N1 is confirmed they would be slaughtered. The farm has been placed under tight restrictions and samples from the dead birds were examined at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey.
A three kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone would also be set up.
The farm has so far been placed under tight restrictions and samples from the dead birds are being examined at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey.
Bart Dalla Mura, Bernard Matthews commercial director, said the birds had not been imported and were raised in a shed.Bart Dalla Mura, Bernard Matthews commercial director, said the birds had not been imported and were raised in a shed.
He told BBC News: "We're going to work with Defra to find out how this has occurred. The critical thing is that it has been contained."He told BBC News: "We're going to work with Defra to find out how this has occurred. The critical thing is that it has been contained."
"There is no risk to consumers at all," he added."There is no risk to consumers at all," he added.
Test results showing whether the deadly H5N1 strain is present are expected later on Saturday.
AVIAN FLU FACTS There are 15 types of bird, or avian, flu.The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7.There are nine different types of the H5 strain.The nine types take different forms - some are pathogenic, others are harmless.
Defra said the alarm was raised by the farmer after he noticed "significant mortality" among his flock.Defra said the alarm was raised by the farmer after he noticed "significant mortality" among his flock.
The first deaths happened on Tuesday 30 January when 71 chicks died, said Defra.The first deaths happened on Tuesday 30 January when 71 chicks died, said Defra.
A further 186 died the following day and 860 died on 1 February.A further 186 died the following day and 860 died on 1 February.
Some 1,500 died on Thursday, making a total of 2,617.Some 1,500 died on Thursday, making a total of 2,617.
The National Farmers' Union's east of England representative Nigel Joyce, a poultry farmer himself, told BBC Radio 4's Farming Today that he was shocked by the news.
"I would like to think that Defra, with their contingency plans in place if there's 160,000 birds to be slaughtered, will be right on the ball, will take them out, and they will contain it and there will not be a problem to the UK poultry industry," he said.
But Peter Jinman, a former president of the British Veterinary Association, said farmers should not get too worried because the outbreak had not been confirmed as the H5N1 strain so far.
He said: "I think we do have to be very cautious about this particular situation.
Fatal strain
"It does seem on the face of it very surprising if it's a commercial flock which is obviously going to have high biosecurity, a considerable amount of checks going on and, as we know, predominantly the concerns have always been about wild bird spread of this disease."
There are 15 types of bird, or avian, flu. The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7.There are 15 types of bird, or avian, flu. The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7.
There are nine different types of H5. The nine all take different forms - some are highly pathogenic, while some are fairly harmless.There are nine different types of H5. The nine all take different forms - some are highly pathogenic, while some are fairly harmless.
The type currently causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1, which can prove fatal to humans.The type currently causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1, which can prove fatal to humans.
In May last year, more than 50,000 chickens were culled after an outbreak of the H7 bird flu in farms in the neighbouring county of Norfolk.In May last year, more than 50,000 chickens were culled after an outbreak of the H7 bird flu in farms in the neighbouring county of Norfolk.
One member of staff at the farm contracted the disease and was treated for an eye infection.One member of staff at the farm contracted the disease and was treated for an eye infection.
In March 2006, a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke, Fife, was found to have the H5N1 strain of the virus, which has been responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people, mostly in Asia.In March 2006, a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke, Fife, was found to have the H5N1 strain of the virus, which has been responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people, mostly in Asia.
Suffolk County Council have set up a bird flu helpline on 08456 032 814.Suffolk County Council have set up a bird flu helpline on 08456 032 814.
IF BIRD FLU HITS THE UK 1: Scene of outbreak All poultry to be culledVisitors disinfected and restricted access 2: 3km Protection Zone Poultry kept indoors and tested 3: 10km Surveillance Zone No movement of poultry to or from area except for slaughterRail transport restricted to non-stopping movementsBird fairs and markets bannedIncreased surveillance of wetland areasDomestic birds not to share water used by wild birdsFootpath restrictions likely only on free-range farmsPeople in towns not affected unless they keep poultry. Source: Defra WHEN BIRD FLU HITS THE UK 1: Scene of outbreak All poultry to be culledVisitors disinfected and restricted access 2: 3km Protection Zone Poultry kept indoors and tested 3: 10km Surveillance Zone No movement of poultry to or from area except for slaughterRail transport restricted to non-stopping movementsBird fairs and markets bannedIncreased surveillance of wetland areasDomestic birds not to share water used by wild birdsFootpath restrictions likely only on free-range farmsPeople in towns not affected unless they keep poultry. Source: Defra
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