This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/suffolk/6327193.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus
(40 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." href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6327877.stm">In pics: containment operation class="" href="#graphic">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. It is the first case on a UK commercial farm of infection with the H5N1 strain, which has killed 164 people 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.
VaccinationsVaccinations
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.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.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 hereDEFRA 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]." Mr Landeg said the turkeys at the farm had been too young to enter the food chain and no birds or produce had moved off the site.
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." The company said it was confident the outbreak had been contained and there was no risk to consumers.
How bird flu became globalHow 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.Defra has revoked the national general licence on bird gatherings and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted.
Detergents Detergent
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 shockHAVE 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 77For 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: DefraWHEN 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
Return to linkReturn to link