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15/11/2005
Report casts doubt on transmission of avian flu
A report into the outbreak of bird flu at a UK quarantine centre has suggested that the virus might not spread as easily between different species as originally feared.
The report suggested that the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus was brought into the UK in a consignment of Taiwanese mesia finches. Fifty-three of the 101 finches died, although the report was unable to establish exactly how many of them had the virus.
It had originally been thought that the virus had been brought into the quarantine centre by a South American parrot, although it was later discovered that the parrot did not have the virus.
The mix-up appeared to stem from the fact that the tissues from two dead birds – the blue-headed pionus parrot and a mesia finch – were contained in the sample that tested positive for the H5N1 virus. The strain of the virus was found to closely resemble one discovered in ducks tested in China earlier this year.
The report said that “on the balance of probabilities”, the infection had been introduced into the quarantine facility by the Taiwanese birds. However, the report also said that the virus did not appear to have spread to any other species of birds held in the same facility.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds, said: “This report contains significant epidemiological findings and helps to further our understanding of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
“In particular, the apparent lack of transmission of H5N1 between species in the facility will be of interest to the international community.
“The available evidence points to the mesias, which were documented as imported from Taiwan, as the most likely source of the virus.”
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett announced that the new report would be included in the independent review of quarantine procedures, led by Professor Nigel Dimmock, which was announced after the discovery of bird flu at the facility.
(KMcA)
The report suggested that the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus was brought into the UK in a consignment of Taiwanese mesia finches. Fifty-three of the 101 finches died, although the report was unable to establish exactly how many of them had the virus.
It had originally been thought that the virus had been brought into the quarantine centre by a South American parrot, although it was later discovered that the parrot did not have the virus.
The mix-up appeared to stem from the fact that the tissues from two dead birds – the blue-headed pionus parrot and a mesia finch – were contained in the sample that tested positive for the H5N1 virus. The strain of the virus was found to closely resemble one discovered in ducks tested in China earlier this year.
The report said that “on the balance of probabilities”, the infection had been introduced into the quarantine facility by the Taiwanese birds. However, the report also said that the virus did not appear to have spread to any other species of birds held in the same facility.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds, said: “This report contains significant epidemiological findings and helps to further our understanding of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
“In particular, the apparent lack of transmission of H5N1 between species in the facility will be of interest to the international community.
“The available evidence points to the mesias, which were documented as imported from Taiwan, as the most likely source of the virus.”
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett announced that the new report would be included in the independent review of quarantine procedures, led by Professor Nigel Dimmock, which was announced after the discovery of bird flu at the facility.
(KMcA)
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EU meeting on bird flu crisis
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EU meeting on bird flu crisis
Veterinary experts from the European Union are meeting to discuss emergency measures to prevent the spread of avian flu. The meeting follows the discovery of the deadly H5N1 virus, which has killed over 60 people in south east Asia, on a poultry farm in Turkey.
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