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Flu cases 'linked to wild birds' 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 be the probably reason 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 biosecurity Two theories
The report concludes that the disease has a very close genetic match with an outbreak of H5N1 in the Czech Republic in the summer.
It says that there are two main theories about how the disease was introduced to the UK - either via contamination from people from a country with an undisclosed infection in their domestic flocks, or infected wild birds.
There is currently no evidence to support either theory.
"As there are no epidemiological links with domestic poultry in central Europe, the molecular genetic results suggest that wild birds may have introduced the virus into Suffolk from Europe," the report said.
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.The affected poultry were free-range - meaning they had access to the outdoors and may have been at greater risk of catching the disease.
Poor biosecurity
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 also said 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. Suffolk had previously had an H5N1 outbreak at a turkey farm in February, but the report found there was no connection that incident.