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06/04/2006
Bird flu confirmed in Scotland
A swan found dead in Scotland has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, the Scottish Executive has confirmed.
The RSPB and the National Farmers Union had earlier confirmed the infection.
The swan, a native mute swan, was found in the coastal village of Cellardyke in Fife in Scotland eight days ago.
The Scottish Executive said that a surveillance zone had now been extended to cover 2,500 sq km. An initial 3km protection zone was established around Cellardyke, as well as a surveillance zone of 10km.
Anyone keeping birds within the protection zone have been ordered to keep them indoors to prevent them coming into contact with wild birds. If this is not possible, owners will have to put measures in place to ensure that their birds were kept seperate from wild birds.
Movement restrictions on poultry, eggs and poultry products have also been put in place.
Gatherings of birds have also been banned and there will be enhanced surveillance of wild birds.
There have also been reports of two dead swans being found in Glasgow and four dead swans have also been found near Portglenone in Northern Ireland.
The Cellardyke case is the first confirmed incidence of the disease in a wild bird in Britain. Previously, the disease was found in birds being held in quarantine in England.
Charles Milne, Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer, defended the length of time it took to confirm that the swan had bird flu. He told a press conference: "We got the results at the earliest possible opportunity and the appropriate measures were put in place."
The Scottish Executive has stressed that that there is no reason for public health concern.
The H5N1 virus has now caused more than 100 deaths worldwide. Although these deaths were people who had close contact with infected poultry, experts fear that the disease may mutate into a strain which passes easily between humans.
Defra has said that anyone who finds a dead swan, duck or goose or three or more dead wild or garden birds together should contact their hotline on: 08459 335577. However, a single, small bird should be left alone and the department need not be contacted.
(KMcA)
The RSPB and the National Farmers Union had earlier confirmed the infection.
The swan, a native mute swan, was found in the coastal village of Cellardyke in Fife in Scotland eight days ago.
The Scottish Executive said that a surveillance zone had now been extended to cover 2,500 sq km. An initial 3km protection zone was established around Cellardyke, as well as a surveillance zone of 10km.
Anyone keeping birds within the protection zone have been ordered to keep them indoors to prevent them coming into contact with wild birds. If this is not possible, owners will have to put measures in place to ensure that their birds were kept seperate from wild birds.
Movement restrictions on poultry, eggs and poultry products have also been put in place.
Gatherings of birds have also been banned and there will be enhanced surveillance of wild birds.
There have also been reports of two dead swans being found in Glasgow and four dead swans have also been found near Portglenone in Northern Ireland.
The Cellardyke case is the first confirmed incidence of the disease in a wild bird in Britain. Previously, the disease was found in birds being held in quarantine in England.
Charles Milne, Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer, defended the length of time it took to confirm that the swan had bird flu. He told a press conference: "We got the results at the earliest possible opportunity and the appropriate measures were put in place."
The Scottish Executive has stressed that that there is no reason for public health concern.
The H5N1 virus has now caused more than 100 deaths worldwide. Although these deaths were people who had close contact with infected poultry, experts fear that the disease may mutate into a strain which passes easily between humans.
Defra has said that anyone who finds a dead swan, duck or goose or three or more dead wild or garden birds together should contact their hotline on: 08459 335577. However, a single, small bird should be left alone and the department need not be contacted.
(KMcA)
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17 January 2008
Fourth Swan Dies From Bird Flu Virus
The UK's defences against Bird Flu have been highlighted again with news that a fourth swan has now tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Fourth Swan Dies From Bird Flu Virus
The UK's defences against Bird Flu have been highlighted again with news that a fourth swan has now tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
07 April 2006
Bird flu tests continue
More dead birds are being tested for bird flu in Scotland, after the first case of the deadly H5N1 virus in a wild bird in the UK was discovered there. Fourteen birds - 12 swans and two other species - are currently being tested. Nine birds have so far tested negative for the H5N1 virus.
Bird flu tests continue
More dead birds are being tested for bird flu in Scotland, after the first case of the deadly H5N1 virus in a wild bird in the UK was discovered there. Fourteen birds - 12 swans and two other species - are currently being tested. Nine birds have so far tested negative for the H5N1 virus.
30 January 2004
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
15 February 2006
Germany confirms first bird flu cases
German authorities have confirmed the first cases of the H5N1 flu virus in two dead swans found on the island of Reugen on the Baltic coast. This follows on the deadly virus being reported in Austria, Greece, Italy and Iran, which have recently reported cases. Earlier, Austrian officials reported two cases in swans found dead near Graz.
Germany confirms first bird flu cases
German authorities have confirmed the first cases of the H5N1 flu virus in two dead swans found on the island of Reugen on the Baltic coast. This follows on the deadly virus being reported in Austria, Greece, Italy and Iran, which have recently reported cases. Earlier, Austrian officials reported two cases in swans found dead near Graz.
11 April 2006
Bird flu swan may have died 'outside UK'
A dead swan infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, which was found in Fife last week, may have died outside the UK. The Central Science Laboratory has identified the swan, which was discovered in the coastal village of Cellardyke, as a whooper swan, which migrate to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia and northern Russia in the winter.
Bird flu swan may have died 'outside UK'
A dead swan infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, which was found in Fife last week, may have died outside the UK. The Central Science Laboratory has identified the swan, which was discovered in the coastal village of Cellardyke, as a whooper swan, which migrate to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia and northern Russia in the winter.
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