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Bird flu strain claims fifth swan | Bird flu strain claims fifth swan |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A fifth swan at a sanctuary in Dorset has tested positive for the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu, environment department Defra has said. | A fifth swan at a sanctuary in Dorset has tested positive for the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu, environment department Defra has said. |
The first case of avian influenza was found at the Abbotsbury Swannery, near Chesil Beach, on 10 January. | |
John Houston, general manager, said: "We are expecting to have a run of positives and negatives while [the virus] works its way through the herd." | |
Restrictions on the movement of birds, imposed last week, remain in place. | Restrictions on the movement of birds, imposed last week, remain in place. |
Earlier, Defra said there was currently no evidence to suggest the disease was widespread among wild birds in the area, but officials were closely monitoring the situation. | Earlier, Defra said there was currently no evidence to suggest the disease was widespread among wild birds in the area, but officials were closely monitoring the situation. |
Mr Houston said: "There are still four or five dead swans which have been picked up - and for which there are no test results as of yet." | |
International importance | |
He said Defra staff and staff from the swannery had so far taken swabs from about 60 mute swans at the swannery. | |
They are hoping to establish whether the birds are building up resistance to the outbreak. | |
The swannery will be given the all-clear if no birds test positive for the virus after 21 days. | |
The swannery is part of an area of wetland recognised to be of international importance. | The swannery is part of an area of wetland recognised to be of international importance. |
The Health Protection Agency has monitored about 12 staff at the swannery for signs of the disease, although the risk of infection is said to be low. | The Health Protection Agency has monitored about 12 staff at the swannery for signs of the disease, although the risk of infection is said to be low. |
Workers have been given a course of anti-viral drug Tamiflu as a precaution. | Workers have been given a course of anti-viral drug Tamiflu as a precaution. |
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