Bird Flu: In Depth
Map
French bird flu sparks UK worries
Fears are growing that Britain could be hit by a bird flu outbreak after France confirmed its first case of the virus.
Ministers have admitted the French case made it "likely" the disease would begin to affect birds in Britain.
The National Union of Farmers has also expressed worry over the development, its poultry spokesman saying: "I'm more concerned than I was a week ago."
French officials have said a dead duck "probably" had the H5N1 strain, which has killed dozens of people in Asia.
Scientists are running tests on the wild duck, found near Lyon in south-east France, to find out if it was the deadly strain.
Charles Bourne, chairman of the NFU's poultry board, said it was a "good pointer" that no commercial birds had been affected in Europe.
But he said bird experts had "rather changed their tune".
"All the experts said the migratory birds wouldn't be bringing [bird flu] this way - they'd be taking it off to Siberia.
"So I can't pretend that I'm not more concerned than I was a week ago."
Fred Landeg, Britain's deputy chief veterinary officer, said there were "robust surveillance measures" in place and so far no H5N1 had been found in the UK.
"The expert ornithologists have advised that ducks from the Lyon region do not normally fly to the UK at this time of the year," he said.
But he added that the pochard duck used a migratory path which took it across Britain.
He said Defra would continue to monitor the situation and encouraged the public to report any unusual wild bird deaths.
John Widdowson, from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association, said the government had done as much as it could to prepare for the spread of bird flu to the UK.
He said the most important thing now was to keep the disease out of poultry flocks.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4726532.stm
Full Version: It's Coming, It's In the trees.....
What the fuck is Yancy doing on at this hour on a Friday night?
QUOTE(yancy @ Feb 17 2006, 11:54 PM) [snapback]22920[/snapback]
"Grey Cell Green"
Nicely done.
Fuck, I need to rock some Ned's Atomic Dustbin right now.
I would like to take this moment to say a heartfelt goodbye to at least a third of you.
Well the scientific literature on this guy are pretty encouraging. They all pretty much say "its not if it will hit us, but when" And they also point out that despite all the preventative meassures, we won't be able to have a solid vaccine UNTIL it mutates and becomes leathal to humans. It makes sense, but man, is it depressing.
Man, I'm going to go take some vitamins.
IS SOME PEOPLE GONNA DIE??
Only the old and weak.
actually, I think it's the opposite. The ones with the strongest immune systems are most vulnerable. Bean, confirm or deny, please.
QUOTE(SiC @ Feb 18 2006, 07:17 PM) [snapback]23139[/snapback]
Only the old and weak.
Not true. for a start there have been 169 cases in humans thus and 91 deaths. If it's anything like The Spanish Flu Pandemic in the late 1910's which was unusual in commonly killing many young and healthy victims. Then it's a real cause for concern. As it's now thought that La Grippe Espagnole was a strain of Avian Flu we should be concerned.
QUOTE(huh? @ Feb 18 2006, 01:25 PM) [snapback]23151[/snapback]
actually, I think it's the opposite. The ones with the strongest immune systems are most vulnerable. Bean, confirm or deny, please.
This is what makes it such a worry. Its not necessarily the 'strongest' immune systems that are most vulnerable but rather, the strength of the immune system is inconsequential. So those usually considered the least chance of becoming ill or dying are on the same playing field as the weakest immune systems, the very young, and the very old.
Its mortallity rates in its BIRD form are over 50% for humans. That's damn high. Once it mutates to spread easily between humans the shit will hit the fan. I doubt death rates will remain above 50%, but there will be a year, to two years where this thing will probably be the leading cause of death in the world.
My microbiology prof says we are gonna go over this in awesome detail within the next few weeks, and also, according to her, "why people are making too big of a deal over it". I donno, but im excited.
My only comment for now though, is, Arent birds just totally awesome?!~
My only comment for now though, is, Arent birds just totally awesome?!~
QUOTE(andy_ant @ Feb 18 2006, 02:48 PM) [snapback]23208[/snapback]
My microbiology prof says we are gonna go over this in awesome detail within the next few weeks, and also, according to her, "why people are making too big of a deal over it". I donno, but im excited.
My only comment for now though, is, Arent birds just totally awesome?!~
Birds are awesome.
The danger from this is still unknown and we won't know until it becomes readily spread amoung humans. Its potential is what is freaking everyone out, but ya, it is being taken out of proportion. Although I'd rather have governments over prepared for this than underprepared since it is the first potenial epidemic we can see on the horizon and can actually be premptive about.
Already, webinars are being broadcast so companies can plan for dealing w/ the pandemic. They are saying that at its peak, 40% of the workforce will be out of commission.
Yea, a lot of people just hear fancy science words and go crazy and riot and start fires and loot for when its not well known enough to panic that much. well maybe not THAT extreme.
With this, I have a very basic understanding of what is going on, Ive only read a couple things on it. Sometimes I get too busy with other bird stuff to look at this. So Im excited for the talk by my professor.
FYI- I found a grad school program I fell in love with this week. YAY!
With this, I have a very basic understanding of what is going on, Ive only read a couple things on it. Sometimes I get too busy with other bird stuff to look at this. So Im excited for the talk by my professor.
FYI- I found a grad school program I fell in love with this week. YAY!
Which one?
QUOTE(andy_ant @ Feb 18 2006, 01:13 PM) [snapback]23225[/snapback]
UC Davis is a great school, and Davis is a really nice place to live.
QUOTE(yancy @ Feb 18 2006, 05:54 AM) [snapback]22920[/snapback]
"Grey Cell Green"
Nicely done.
Actually was thinking of 'Hounds of Love'
QUOTE(andy_ant @ Feb 18 2006, 03:13 PM) [snapback]23225[/snapback]
Great timing for this, it should be well funding during your stay there=good research. Congrats!
QUOTE(yancy @ Feb 18 2006, 02:30 AM) [snapback]22955[/snapback]
It's cold! ...and Stars sold out.
shoulda been at the hideout, that's where the party was.
The Spanish Flu pandemic is different because it happened in the middle of World War I and we have 90 years of medical technology to build on. A lot of deaths were because of secondary bacterial infections. Also mortality was 2.5 percent for the spanish flu, that's nowhere near 50%.
I forgot about it going after the young and the healthy.
I ate a handful of Sugar Babies, instead of vitamins.
I ate a handful of Sugar Babies, instead of vitamins.
Breaking News
Bird flu confirmed in dead swan
Preliminary tests have found the H5 avian flu virus in a sample from a swan found dead in north east Fife, health officials have revealed.
The exact strain of the virus is not yet known, but tests were continuing and further results were expected on Thursday.
The Scottish Executive said the area was being sealed off.
If the disease is confirmed as the deadly H5N1 strain there may be further restrictions put in place.
An executive spokesman said: "In accordance with a recent EU decision the Scottish Executive is putting in place a protection zone of a minimum of three kilometres radius and a surveillance zone of 10 kilometres.
"Keepers of birds in the protection zone are being instructed to isolate their birds from wild birds, by taking them indoors where ever possible."
Measures to restrict the movement of poultry, eggs and poultry products from these zones will be brought into effect immediately.
Officials stressed that there was no reason for public health concern.
According to the National Farmers Union Scotland, the Scottish poultry industry produces 127,000 tones of meat and 740 million eggs
Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland Charles Milne said: "Whilst disease has yet to be confirmed, this is an important development.
"Bird keepers outside the protection zone should redouble their efforts to prepare for bringing their birds indoors if that becomes necessary.
"They must also review their biosecurity measures to ensure that all possible precautions have been taken."
High alert
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, in whose Fife North East constituency the bird was found, said he would follow the situation "very closely".
He said: "I have spoken directly to the (agriculture) minister, Ben Bradshaw, who has told me there cannot be final confirmation until tomorrow.
"I have his assurance that all necessary steps will be taken and that there is no health risk to humans."
BBC Scotland rural affairs correspondent Ken Rundle said that whilst the poultry industry would be on high alert, there would be relief that the virus had been found on a wild bird and not on a poultry farm.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/4881526.stm
PAPERS GO CRAZY TOMORROW ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!
Bird flu confirmed in dead swan
Preliminary tests have found the H5 avian flu virus in a sample from a swan found dead in north east Fife, health officials have revealed.
The exact strain of the virus is not yet known, but tests were continuing and further results were expected on Thursday.
The Scottish Executive said the area was being sealed off.
If the disease is confirmed as the deadly H5N1 strain there may be further restrictions put in place.
An executive spokesman said: "In accordance with a recent EU decision the Scottish Executive is putting in place a protection zone of a minimum of three kilometres radius and a surveillance zone of 10 kilometres.
"Keepers of birds in the protection zone are being instructed to isolate their birds from wild birds, by taking them indoors where ever possible."
Measures to restrict the movement of poultry, eggs and poultry products from these zones will be brought into effect immediately.
Officials stressed that there was no reason for public health concern.
According to the National Farmers Union Scotland, the Scottish poultry industry produces 127,000 tones of meat and 740 million eggs
Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland Charles Milne said: "Whilst disease has yet to be confirmed, this is an important development.
"Bird keepers outside the protection zone should redouble their efforts to prepare for bringing their birds indoors if that becomes necessary.
"They must also review their biosecurity measures to ensure that all possible precautions have been taken."
High alert
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, in whose Fife North East constituency the bird was found, said he would follow the situation "very closely".
He said: "I have spoken directly to the (agriculture) minister, Ben Bradshaw, who has told me there cannot be final confirmation until tomorrow.
"I have his assurance that all necessary steps will be taken and that there is no health risk to humans."
BBC Scotland rural affairs correspondent Ken Rundle said that whilst the poultry industry would be on high alert, there would be relief that the virus had been found on a wild bird and not on a poultry farm.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/4881526.stm
PAPERS GO CRAZY TOMORROW ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!
shoulda blew Asia off the map when we had the chance....
Amazing Race would kind of suck, though.
Yeah, guess you're right. They's have to call it the Pretty Neat Race, or add Antarctica to the itinerary. They could go find the special penguin that hold's each team's next instructions.
I know you are joking but somewhere in the US someone is thinking that and Amazing Race is the only "pro" they can think of for destroying Asia.
Swan tests confirm deadly virus
A swan found dead in Scotland has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
The bird, tested at the EU's bird flu laboratory in Surrey, is the UK's first case of H5N1 in a wild bird.
A 1.8-mile (3km) protection zone to prevent poultry being moved is in place around Cellardyke in Fife, where the bird was found eight days ago.
The H5N1 virus does not currently pose a large-scale threat to humans as it cannot pass easily between people.
But experts fear the virus could mutate to gain this ability, and in its new form trigger a flu pandemic, potentially putting millions of human lives at risk.
A wider six-mile (10km) surveillance zone has also been set up.
The RSPB and the National Farmers' Union confirmed the infection, and vets have been carrying out checks on birds and poultry in the area, with movement restrictions on poultry, eggs and poultry products.
Farmers within the smaller protection zone have been advised to ensure their birds are isolated, if possible indoors, to prevent infection from wild birds.
The infected bird, thought to be a mute swan, a native UK breed, was collected from Cellardyke harbour on 30 March - a day after it was reported by a resident.
It is the first time the strain has been found in a wild bird, but H5N1 was detected in birds held in quarantine in the UK after infected Taiwanese finches arrived at a secure animal unit in Essex in October.
The Health Protection Agency emphasised the infection was "a bird flu - not a human flu".
Although people in other countries have died from bird flu, they have lived in very close contact with poultry or handled dead birds.
The Food Standards Agency said poultry preparation would ensure food safety.
"Obviously events might unfold in later time but it doesn't alter our advice, which is that the safety of poultry meat and other poultry products is satisfactory providing it is properly cooked and prepared," said Alick Simmonds.
The Scottish Executive also said there was no reason for public health concern, but the public was urged to be vigilant in reporting any dead birds. Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer Charles Milne earlier defended the plan for dealing with bird flu in the UK.
"We got the results at the earliest possible opportunity and the appropriate measures were put in place."
Representatives from Defra, the Scottish Executive, the Department of Health, the Cabinet Office and 10 Downing Street attended a meeting of the government's national emergency committee, Cobra, on Thursday.
"The meeting reviewed the contingency plans that are already in place and concluded that all relevant steps are being taken," the Cabinet Office said.
The World Health Organisation said there was concern that the virus would eventually become more dangerous to humans.
WHO's Dick Thompson said: "It may be possible to remove the virus from the environment but it's going to continue to spread.
"What we worry about of course is that as it spreads it has more opportunity to mutate and change and develop characteristics that which make it even more dangerous to humans."
In Europe, the H5N1 strain has already been found in countries including Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Serbia-Montenegro and Switzerland and measures have been taken to try to prevent its spread from wild birds to poultry.
Defra helpline on 08459 335577 .
BIRD FLU FACTFILE
Bird flu viruses have 16 H subtypes and nine N subtypes.
Four types of the virus are known to infect humans - H5N1, H7N3, H7N7 and H9N2
Most lead to minor symptoms, apart from H5N1
H5N1 has caused more than 100 deaths in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam
The World Health Organisation says not all H5 or H7 strains are severe, but their ability to mutate means their presence is "always a cause for concern"
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4882946.stm
A swan found dead in Scotland has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
The bird, tested at the EU's bird flu laboratory in Surrey, is the UK's first case of H5N1 in a wild bird.
A 1.8-mile (3km) protection zone to prevent poultry being moved is in place around Cellardyke in Fife, where the bird was found eight days ago.
The H5N1 virus does not currently pose a large-scale threat to humans as it cannot pass easily between people.
But experts fear the virus could mutate to gain this ability, and in its new form trigger a flu pandemic, potentially putting millions of human lives at risk.
A wider six-mile (10km) surveillance zone has also been set up.
The RSPB and the National Farmers' Union confirmed the infection, and vets have been carrying out checks on birds and poultry in the area, with movement restrictions on poultry, eggs and poultry products.
Farmers within the smaller protection zone have been advised to ensure their birds are isolated, if possible indoors, to prevent infection from wild birds.
The infected bird, thought to be a mute swan, a native UK breed, was collected from Cellardyke harbour on 30 March - a day after it was reported by a resident.
It is the first time the strain has been found in a wild bird, but H5N1 was detected in birds held in quarantine in the UK after infected Taiwanese finches arrived at a secure animal unit in Essex in October.
The Health Protection Agency emphasised the infection was "a bird flu - not a human flu".
Although people in other countries have died from bird flu, they have lived in very close contact with poultry or handled dead birds.
The Food Standards Agency said poultry preparation would ensure food safety.
"Obviously events might unfold in later time but it doesn't alter our advice, which is that the safety of poultry meat and other poultry products is satisfactory providing it is properly cooked and prepared," said Alick Simmonds.
The Scottish Executive also said there was no reason for public health concern, but the public was urged to be vigilant in reporting any dead birds. Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer Charles Milne earlier defended the plan for dealing with bird flu in the UK.
"We got the results at the earliest possible opportunity and the appropriate measures were put in place."
Representatives from Defra, the Scottish Executive, the Department of Health, the Cabinet Office and 10 Downing Street attended a meeting of the government's national emergency committee, Cobra, on Thursday.
"The meeting reviewed the contingency plans that are already in place and concluded that all relevant steps are being taken," the Cabinet Office said.
The World Health Organisation said there was concern that the virus would eventually become more dangerous to humans.
WHO's Dick Thompson said: "It may be possible to remove the virus from the environment but it's going to continue to spread.
"What we worry about of course is that as it spreads it has more opportunity to mutate and change and develop characteristics that which make it even more dangerous to humans."
In Europe, the H5N1 strain has already been found in countries including Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Serbia-Montenegro and Switzerland and measures have been taken to try to prevent its spread from wild birds to poultry.
Defra helpline on 08459 335577 .
BIRD FLU FACTFILE
Bird flu viruses have 16 H subtypes and nine N subtypes.
Four types of the virus are known to infect humans - H5N1, H7N3, H7N7 and H9N2
Most lead to minor symptoms, apart from H5N1
H5N1 has caused more than 100 deaths in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam
The World Health Organisation says not all H5 or H7 strains are severe, but their ability to mutate means their presence is "always a cause for concern"
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4882946.stm
this is scarier than snakes on a plane
Just what America wants (or needs):
this could be awesome if they only use carnivorous birds.
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Apr 28 2006, 12:36 PM) [snapback]76030[/snapback]
wow. pink eye. you brits are surely fucked.
FEEL KINDA SORRY FOR THIS GUY
US that better be you or we have a moron.
It's back
Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus
Tests have confirmed that the avian flu which killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm is the H5N1 virus.
That virus can be fatal if it is passed on to humans and further tests will determine if it is the same strain as found in Asia.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Commission carried out the tests.
Defra have said that the 159,000 other turkeys on the farm will also have to be slaughtered.
According to an EC statement, a three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone will now be set up at Holton, which is approximately 17 miles south-west of Lowestoft.
The statement also said: "Further tests to characterise the virus are underway in order to ascertain whether or not it is the Asian strain.
"Strict movement controls are in place, poultry must be kept indoors, there is a prohibition on gatherings of poultry and other birds and on-farm biosecurity measures will be strengthened."
Vets were called to the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton on Thursday night.
A Defra spokeswoman has said the risk of the disease spreading to humans was low and there was no need for panic.
In addition Defra has revoked the national general licence on bird gatherings and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted.
Bart Dalla Mura, Bernard Matthews commercial director, said the birds had not been imported and were raised in a shed.
National Farmers Union president Peter Kendall told BBC News 24 the top priority would be eradicating the outbreak.
He also said he felt "enormous concern, both for the whole farming community and the producers of poultry in the United Kingdom.
"[We will be] making sure we get the message across about how well this will be managed and controlled.
"We're encouraging all farmers to be incredibly vigilant, look at their flocks carefully and we do need to reassure consumers that this is not an issue about the safety of poultry - it's completely safe to eat."
Professor John Oxford, a virologist at the London Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, said he was confident the outbreak could be contained.
He said: "I don't think it has made any difference as a threat to the human population. The most likely explanation is that a small bird has come in through a ventilation shaft.
"One good thing about this virus is that it's easily destroyed. You can kill it with a bit of detergent.
"You want to move in and take action straight away and I'm sure they'll be doing that."
The farm has been placed under tight restrictions and samples from the dead birds were examined at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey.
Defra said the alarm was raised by the farmer after he noticed "significant mortality" among his flock.
The first deaths happened on Tuesday 30 January when 71 chicks died, said Defra.
A further 186 died the following day and 860 died on 1 February.
Some 1,500 died on Thursday, making a total of 2,617.
There are 15 types of bird, or avian, flu. The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7.
There are nine different types of H5. The nine all take different forms - some are highly pathogenic, while some are fairly harmless.
The type currently causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1, which can prove fatal to humans.
n May last year, more than 50,000 chickens were culled after an outbreak of the H7 bird flu in farms in the neighbouring county of Norfolk.
One member of staff at the farm contracted the disease and was treated for an eye infection.
In March 2006, a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke, Fife, was found to have the H5N1 strain of the virus, which has been responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people, mostly in Asia.
Tests show bird flu is H5N1 virus
Tests have confirmed that the avian flu which killed 2,600 turkeys at a Suffolk farm is the H5N1 virus.
That virus can be fatal if it is passed on to humans and further tests will determine if it is the same strain as found in Asia.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Commission carried out the tests.
Defra have said that the 159,000 other turkeys on the farm will also have to be slaughtered.
According to an EC statement, a three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone will now be set up at Holton, which is approximately 17 miles south-west of Lowestoft.
The statement also said: "Further tests to characterise the virus are underway in order to ascertain whether or not it is the Asian strain.
"Strict movement controls are in place, poultry must be kept indoors, there is a prohibition on gatherings of poultry and other birds and on-farm biosecurity measures will be strengthened."
Vets were called to the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton on Thursday night.
A Defra spokeswoman has said the risk of the disease spreading to humans was low and there was no need for panic.
In addition Defra has revoked the national general licence on bird gatherings and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted.
Bart Dalla Mura, Bernard Matthews commercial director, said the birds had not been imported and were raised in a shed.
National Farmers Union president Peter Kendall told BBC News 24 the top priority would be eradicating the outbreak.
He also said he felt "enormous concern, both for the whole farming community and the producers of poultry in the United Kingdom.
"[We will be] making sure we get the message across about how well this will be managed and controlled.
"We're encouraging all farmers to be incredibly vigilant, look at their flocks carefully and we do need to reassure consumers that this is not an issue about the safety of poultry - it's completely safe to eat."
Professor John Oxford, a virologist at the London Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, said he was confident the outbreak could be contained.
He said: "I don't think it has made any difference as a threat to the human population. The most likely explanation is that a small bird has come in through a ventilation shaft.
"One good thing about this virus is that it's easily destroyed. You can kill it with a bit of detergent.
"You want to move in and take action straight away and I'm sure they'll be doing that."
The farm has been placed under tight restrictions and samples from the dead birds were examined at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey.
Defra said the alarm was raised by the farmer after he noticed "significant mortality" among his flock.
The first deaths happened on Tuesday 30 January when 71 chicks died, said Defra.
A further 186 died the following day and 860 died on 1 February.
Some 1,500 died on Thursday, making a total of 2,617.
There are 15 types of bird, or avian, flu. The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7.
There are nine different types of H5. The nine all take different forms - some are highly pathogenic, while some are fairly harmless.
The type currently causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1, which can prove fatal to humans.
n May last year, more than 50,000 chickens were culled after an outbreak of the H7 bird flu in farms in the neighbouring county of Norfolk.
One member of staff at the farm contracted the disease and was treated for an eye infection.
In March 2006, a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke, Fife, was found to have the H5N1 strain of the virus, which has been responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people, mostly in Asia.
You're quite the harbinger of doom today.
I'm going to go post in the dead thread later.
QUOTE(MitchellStirling @ Feb 3 2007, 07:59 AM) [snapback]304513[/snapback]
In addition Defra has revoked the national general licence on bird gatherings and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted.
pigeon racing. what the hell!!!
QUOTE(Sausage To The Extreme @ Feb 18 2006, 12:37 PM) [snapback]23086[/snapback]
IS SOME PEOPLE GONNA DIE??
Merry Christmas!
Suffolk bird flu is H5N1 strain
The type of bird flu found in turkeys on a Suffolk farm is the virulent H5N1 strain, according to government vets.
The virus was discovered on Sunday at Redgrave Park Farm near Diss, where all 6,500 birds, most of them turkeys, are being slaughtered.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been set up and the farm is co-operating with vets.
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg made the announcement at a press conference in London.
All birds at the affected premises - including approximately 5,000 turkeys, 1,000 ducks and 500 geese - will be slaughtered.
Police officers are at the entrance to the farm, and vehicles are being sprayed with a jet hose.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said some 10% of birds in one shed at the farm had died during one night.
Suffolk bird flu is H5N1 strain
The type of bird flu found in turkeys on a Suffolk farm is the virulent H5N1 strain, according to government vets.
The virus was discovered on Sunday at Redgrave Park Farm near Diss, where all 6,500 birds, most of them turkeys, are being slaughtered.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been set up and the farm is co-operating with vets.
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg made the announcement at a press conference in London.
All birds at the affected premises - including approximately 5,000 turkeys, 1,000 ducks and 500 geese - will be slaughtered.
Police officers are at the entrance to the farm, and vehicles are being sprayed with a jet hose.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said some 10% of birds in one shed at the farm had died during one night.
Happy New Year
Bird flu discovered in mute swans
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. Defra spokeswoman Linda Scott said: "Government vets have been testing them for avian flu for the last two days." The BBC's environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said officials would now study migration patterns to try to establish how the virus spread. John Houston from Abbotsbury Swannery said: "It's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here." Shadow Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly this is very disturbing news especially because of the connection with the wild bird population."
Bird flu discovered in mute swans
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. Defra spokeswoman Linda Scott said: "Government vets have been testing them for avian flu for the last two days." The BBC's environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said officials would now study migration patterns to try to establish how the virus spread. John Houston from Abbotsbury Swannery said: "It's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here." Shadow Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly this is very disturbing news especially because of the connection with the wild bird population."
QUOTE(Artem @ Feb 3 2007, 09:56 AM) [snapback]304543[/snapback]
QUOTE(MitchellStirling @ Feb 3 2007, 07:59 AM) [snapback]304513[/snapback]
In addition Defra has revoked the national general licence on bird gatherings and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted.
pigeon racing. what the hell!!!
b/c fish'n'chips, curries, ale and cricket just aren't enough to keep the English occupied.
That'll do for me though.
http://www.google.org/flutrends/
It's hit poultry in Bengal and
" The administration of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health confirmed on January 6 that an 8-year-old child in Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district, central Thanh Hoa province was infected with the avian influenza A/H5N1 virus.
Since the first case discovered in December 2003, this was the 107th case of infection in Vietnam, raising the death toll to 52.
The child was diagnosed with the virus on December 27, 2008. She was admitted to the general hospital in Ba Thuoc district on January 2, 2009 with symptoms of coughing and having troubled breathing.
One month before the source of the infection was identified, the patient and her family had eaten sick poultry.
On January 3, a test by the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) proved positive for the A/H5N1 virus.
The administration of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health directed the NIHE and the Thanh Hoa provincial Preventive Healthcare Centre to work closely with the veterinary sector to watch and deal with any possible outbreaks swiftly and thoroughly.
"
It's hit poultry in Bengal and
" The administration of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health confirmed on January 6 that an 8-year-old child in Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district, central Thanh Hoa province was infected with the avian influenza A/H5N1 virus.
Since the first case discovered in December 2003, this was the 107th case of infection in Vietnam, raising the death toll to 52.
The child was diagnosed with the virus on December 27, 2008. She was admitted to the general hospital in Ba Thuoc district on January 2, 2009 with symptoms of coughing and having troubled breathing.
One month before the source of the infection was identified, the patient and her family had eaten sick poultry.
On January 3, a test by the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) proved positive for the A/H5N1 virus.
The administration of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health directed the NIHE and the Thanh Hoa provincial Preventive Healthcare Centre to work closely with the veterinary sector to watch and deal with any possible outbreaks swiftly and thoroughly.
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