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Wild birds probable disease cause Flu cases 'linked to wild birds'
(10 minutes later)
The preliminary report into the latest outbreak of bird flu in Suffolk concludes that wild birds were probably the main source of infection.The preliminary report into the latest outbreak of bird flu in Suffolk concludes that wild birds were probably the main source of infection.
But no evidence has yet been found to support this theory.But no evidence has yet been found to support this theory.
The report also found that poor biosecurity was practised by some of the staff on the farm where the outbreak occurred on 11 November.The report also found that poor biosecurity was practised by some of the staff on the farm where the outbreak occurred on 11 November.
This is thought to probably be responsible for the disease spreading to another farm.This is thought to probably be responsible for the disease spreading to another farm.
The virulent H5N1 strain of the virus, a variant capable of being transmitted to humans, was first discovered at Redgrave Park Farm near Diss, where all 6,500 birds were slaughtered.The virulent H5N1 strain of the virus, a variant capable of being transmitted to humans, was first discovered at Redgrave Park Farm near Diss, where all 6,500 birds were slaughtered.
The disease was later also confirmed to have reached the nearby Hill Meadow Farm at Knettishall - 9,000 turkeys were culled there.The disease was later also confirmed to have reached the nearby Hill Meadow Farm at Knettishall - 9,000 turkeys were culled there.
Poor biosecurityPoor biosecurity
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says the disease was discovered in an area where wild birds were relatively common and was notably near to an ornamental lake which supports some 1,000 waterfowl.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says the disease was discovered in an area where wild birds were relatively common and was notably near to an ornamental lake which supports some 1,000 waterfowl.
The affected poultry were free-range - meaning they had access to the outdoors and may have been at greater risk of catching the disease.
H5N1 infection has not been detected in wild birds nor have any incidents of high mortality been observed in the area, according to the report.H5N1 infection has not been detected in wild birds nor have any incidents of high mortality been observed in the area, according to the report.
But it added that wild birds, most likely migratory species from central Europe, cannot be ruled out as the source of infection.But it added that wild birds, most likely migratory species from central Europe, cannot be ruled out as the source of infection.
The report added that poor biosecurity was employed by stockmen who worked at Redgrave Park Farm and on other farms in the area.The report added that poor biosecurity was employed by stockmen who worked at Redgrave Park Farm and on other farms in the area.
Simple measures to prevent the transmission of infection between premises were not followed, it said.Simple measures to prevent the transmission of infection between premises were not followed, it said.
Such measures include changing clothing between premises, disinfection of wellington boots, the disinfection between premises of buckets for the distribution of feed, and the carriage and handling of dead birds.Such measures include changing clothing between premises, disinfection of wellington boots, the disinfection between premises of buckets for the distribution of feed, and the carriage and handling of dead birds.
Suffolk had previously had an H5N1 outbreak at a turkey farm in February.