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| Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus | Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus |
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| The European Commission says tests have confirmed that the avian flu which killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm is the H5N1 virus. | The European Commission says tests have confirmed that the avian flu which killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm is the H5N1 virus. |
| That virus can be fatal if it is passed on to humans. | That virus can be fatal if it is passed on to humans. |
| According to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, there were 159,000 other turkeys on the farm, and they may now be slaughtered. | |
| Vets were called to the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton late on Thursday night. | Vets were called to the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton late on Thursday night. |
| According to an EC statement, a three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone will now be set up. | |
| 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 When bird flu hits the UK Quick Guide: Bird Flu The statement also said: "Further tests to characterise the virus are underway in order to ascertain whether or not it is the Asian strain. | |
| "Strict movement controls are in place, poultry must be kept indoors, there is a prohibition on gatherings of poultry and other birds and on-farm biosecurity measures will be strengthened." | |
| A Defra spokeswoman has said the risk of the disease spreading to humans was low and there was no need for panic. | A Defra spokeswoman has said the risk of the disease spreading to humans was low and there was no need for panic. |
| Bart Dalla Mura, Bernard Matthews commercial director, said the birds had not been imported and were raised in a shed. | |
| National Farmers Union president Peter Kendall told BBC News 24 the top priority would be eradicating the outbreak. | |
| He also said he felt "enormous concern, both for the whole farming community and the producers of poultry in the United Kingdom. | |
| "[We will be] making sure we get the message across about how well this will be managed and controlled. | |
| "We're encouraging all farmers to be incredibly vigilant, look at their flocks carefully and we do need to reassure consumers that this is not an issue about the safety of poultry - it's completely safe to eat." | |
| Professor John Oxford, a virologist at the London Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, said he was confident the outbreak could be contained. | |
| He said: "I don't think it has made any difference as a threat to the human population. The most likely explanation is that a small bird has come in through a ventilation shaft. | |
| "One good thing about this virus is that it's easily destroyed. You can kill it with a bit of detergent. | |
| "You want to move in and take action straight away and I'm sure they'll be doing that." | |
| 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. | |
| The farm has been placed under tight restrictions and samples from the dead birds were examined at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey. | The farm has been placed under tight restrictions and samples from the dead birds were examined at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The people most at risk are farmers and their families Andrew Olgado, London Send us your experiences 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. | HAVE YOUR SAY The people most at risk are farmers and their families Andrew Olgado, London Send us your experiences 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 | 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 |
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