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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bird flu discovered in mute swans | Bird flu discovered in mute swans |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Three mute swans in Dorset have been found dead with the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu. | Three mute swans in Dorset have been found dead with the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu. |
| Efforts have begun to test other birds at Abbotsbury Swannery, a sanctuary located nine miles from Weymouth. | Efforts have begun to test other birds at Abbotsbury Swannery, a sanctuary located nine miles from Weymouth. |
| Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said: "Our message to all bird keepers, particularly those in the area, is that they must be vigilant." | Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said: "Our message to all bird keepers, particularly those in the area, is that they must be vigilant." |
| BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said officials would now try to establish how the virus spread. | BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said officials would now try to establish how the virus spread. |
| 'Big shock' | 'Big shock' |
| The swans' carcasses were found following routine surveillance, a statement from Defra said. | The swans' carcasses were found following routine surveillance, a statement from Defra said. |
| It's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here John HoustonAbbotsbury Swannery Global impact of bird flu | |
| Defra spokeswoman Linda Scott said: "Government vets have been testing them for avian flu for the last two days." | Defra spokeswoman Linda Scott said: "Government vets have been testing them for avian flu for the last two days." |
| The statement added that a Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area has been set up around the Swannery, covering Chesil Beach and Portland Bill. | The statement added that a Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area has been set up around the Swannery, covering Chesil Beach and Portland Bill. |
| Bird owners must isolate their flocks from wild birds within the zone. | |
| Culling of wild birds has been ruled out because experts fear this may disperse birds further. | Culling of wild birds has been ruled out because experts fear this may disperse birds further. |
| John Houston from Abbotsbury Swannery, which holds 600 swans, staff were working closely with Defra officials | |
| He said: "It's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here. | |
| "Our main concern is the welfare of the swans, our staff and the general public. | |
| "We are also working with the Health Protection Agency to ensure that staff and public are fully protected." | |
| Shadow Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly this is very disturbing news especially because of the connection with the wild bird population." | Shadow Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly this is very disturbing news especially because of the connection with the wild bird population." |