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| Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus | Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The avian flu which killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm has been confirmed as the H5N1 virus. | The avian flu which killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm has been confirmed as the H5N1 virus. |
| That strain can be fatal if it is passed on to humans but experts said the outbreak was being contained and posed little danger to people. | That strain can be fatal if it is passed on to humans but experts said the outbreak was being contained and posed little danger to people. |
| The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Commission carried out virus tests at laboratories in Weybridge, Surrey. | The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Commission carried out virus tests at laboratories in Weybridge, Surrey. |
| The 159,000 other turkeys on the farm will now have to be slaughtered. | The 159,000 other turkeys on the farm will now have to be slaughtered. |
| A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone will be set up around Holton, which is approximately 27km south-west of Lowestoft. | A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone will be set up around Holton, which is approximately 27km south-west of Lowestoft. |
| Measures when bird flu hits Q&A: Bird flu A Defra statement said: "Further tests to characterise the virus are under way in order to ascertain whether or not it is the Asian strain." | Measures when bird flu hits Q&A: Bird flu A Defra statement said: "Further tests to characterise the virus are under way in order to ascertain whether or not it is the Asian strain." |
| The H5N1 strain of the virus has infected 270 people, and killed 164 worldwide - most in south east Asia - since 2003. | The H5N1 strain of the virus has infected 270 people, and killed 164 worldwide - most in south east Asia - since 2003. |
| However, the virus cannot pass from human to human at present. | However, the virus cannot pass from human to human at present. |
| So far, all those who have been infected worldwide have come into intimate contact with infected birds. | So far, all those who have been infected worldwide have come into intimate contact with infected birds. |
| Vaccinations | |
| Fred Landeg, Britain's Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, said an investigation was under way but the most likely source of the outbreak was wild birds. | |
| He told BBC News that vaccinations for poultry were not currently being considered. | |
| "There are a number of problems with vaccination in that it takes about three weeks to get immunity." | "There are a number of problems with vaccination in that it takes about three weeks to get immunity." |
| DEFRA CONTINGENCY PLAN Full document [372KB] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader here | DEFRA CONTINGENCY PLAN Full document [372KB] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader here |
| Mr Landeg also spoke at a Defra press briefing, where he added that "no birds have moved off and no product has moved off and that this was a recent introduction [of bird flu]." | |
| Dr Maria Zambon, from the Health Protection Agency, said farm workers who had come into contact with infected birds, and those involved in the culling process, would be offered the anti-viral drug tamiflu as a precaution. | Dr Maria Zambon, from the Health Protection Agency, said farm workers who had come into contact with infected birds, and those involved in the culling process, would be offered the anti-viral drug tamiflu as a precaution. |
| She stressed that nobody had developed symptoms of bird flu following similar outbreaks among farm birds in continental Europe. | She stressed that nobody had developed symptoms of bird flu following similar outbreaks among farm birds in continental Europe. |
| Vets were called to the Bernard Matthews farm on Thursday night. | Vets were called to the Bernard Matthews farm on Thursday night. |
| A company statement said: "It is important to stress that none of the affected birds have entered the food chain and there is no risk to consumers." | A company statement said: "It is important to stress that none of the affected birds have entered the food chain and there is no risk to consumers." |
| How bird flu became global | How bird flu became global |
| National Farmers Union president Peter Kendall told BBC News 24 the priority would be eradicating the outbreak. | National Farmers Union president Peter Kendall told BBC News 24 the priority would be eradicating the outbreak. |
| "[We will be] making sure we get the message across about how well this will be managed and controlled. | "[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." | "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." |
| Defra has revoked the national general licence on bird gatherings and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted. | |
| Detergents | |
| 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. | 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. | 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." | "One good thing about this virus is that it's easily destroyed. You can kill it with a bit of detergent." |
| Dr Oxford also said that while four strains of the H5N1 virus have been identified so far, all are deadly to birds and show potential of being harmful to humans. | Dr Oxford also said that while four strains of the H5N1 virus have been identified so far, all are deadly to birds and show potential of being harmful to humans. |
| He said that identifying the particular strain found in Suffolk will help scientists work out how the disease is moving around the world. | He said that identifying the particular strain found in Suffolk will help scientists work out how the disease is moving around the world. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The people most at risk are farmers and their families Andrew Olgado, London Send us your experiences Community in shock | HAVE YOUR SAY The people most at risk are farmers and their families Andrew Olgado, London Send us your experiences Community in shock |
| 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. | In March 2006, a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke, Fife, was found to have the H5N1 strain of the virus. |
| For more information call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 | For more information call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 |
| 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 | 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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