08/02/2007

Two farm workers test negative for bird flu

Two employees at a Suffolk turkey farm affected by a bird flu outbreak have tested negative for the disease.

It is understood that both workers from the Bernard Matthews farm in Holton, near Lowestoft, had reported respiratory problems, but were subsequently found not to have contracted the deadly H5N1 virus. The news follows the announcement that a vet who visited the farm had also tested negative for the virus.

Dr Jonathan Van Tam, a flu expert from the Health Protection Authority said that they expected to see a number of employees with non-flu respiratory viruses over the coming weeks, because it was the time of year when there was usually an increase in such infections. However, he said: "We are not expecting any workers to test positive for avian flu as they have followed all the necessary precautions in terms of protective clothing, hygiene measures and have been offered anti-viral drugs."

Nearly 160,000 birds at the farm have been culled following the discovery of the deadly H5N1 virus.

A three-kilometre protection zone is in place around the farm, as is a ten-kilometre surveillance zone.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 February 2007
Negative test for bird flu farm vet
A vet who fell ill after visiting the Suffolk turkey farm affected by a bird flu outbreak, has tested negative for the disease. The vet had developed respiratory problems and checked himself into the City Hospital in Nottingham, complaining of mild non-specific symptoms.
23 July 2009
Swine Flu Line To Be Launched As 100,000 Further People Are Diagnosed
The number of those diagnosed with swine flu in the last seven days has reached 100,000 - more than double of the total the previous week in England.
03 October 2005
Flu jab call for most vulnerable
A campaign urging over-65s and children with health problems to get the flu vaccination has been launched by the government. The annual flu jab is available free of charge to those aged over 65, care-home residents and those who suffer from diseases such as diabetes, heart or kidney disease and asthma.
19 October 2005
Flu jabs planned for all Britons
The government has announced plans to vaccinate everyone in the UK in the event of a flu pandemic. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson announced that the Department of Health is inviting manufacturers to tender for a contract to supply pandemic flu vaccine.
19 February 2007
Bernard Matthews staff face lay-offs
Around 130 workers at a Bernard Matthews site are to be temporarily laid off following the recent bird flu outbreak. The Transport and General Workers Union said that the company had confirmed that the workers at the Norfolk site would be stood down on Tuesday for 20 days.