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Avian flu found at smallholding Avian flu found at smallholding
(about 1 hour later)
A low risk strain of bird flu has been discovered at a smallholding in St Helens in Merseyside. A low risk strain of bird flu has been discovered at a smallholding near St Helens in Merseyside.
A restriction zone has been placed around the area following the positive tests for the disease.A restriction zone has been placed around the area following the positive tests for the disease.
The animals involved had been bought from the market held in Chelford associated with the recent outbreak in north Wales. Some of the infected chickens had been bought from the market held in Chelford associated with the recent outbreak in north Wales.
All the birds at the farm will be destroyed. This strain of the disease is not thought to be a risk to humans. All the birds at the farm have been destroyed. This strain of the disease is not thought to be a risk to humans.
Low pathogenic avian influenza typically causes little or no clinical symptoms in infected birds. Low pathogenic avian influenza typically causes little or no clinical symptoms in infected birds and is not thought to be a threat to human health.
It is classed as a low risk disease and is not thought to be a threat to human health. Fred Landeg, deputy chief veterinary officer said: "The tests were carried out as part of the normal tracings activity which is underway following the outbreak in Wales.
A restricted zone has been put in place extending 1km from the holding in St Helens. Restricted zone
"This is an extensive exercise, and this is the only premises to date with evidence of infection."
The birds included 20 chickens, three ducks, three peacocks and some peacock chicks.
A restricted zone extends 1km from the holding, which is thought to be in Rainhill, near St Helens.
People are forbidden from moving poultry or any sort of live birds or eggs through this zone.
The two people who live on the smallholding have been testing for the disease after exhibiting flu-like symptoms but results came back negative.
Animal Health is tracing movements and contacts.Animal Health is tracing movements and contacts.
Appropriate worker protection measures have been put in place and Defra is working closely with the Health Protection Agency on all potential human health aspects. Defra is working closely with the Health Protection Agency on all potential human health aspects.