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H5N1 Avian Influenza Confirmed in UK Poultry

Published: November 14, 2007
Source : DEFRA releases
Following further test results from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that the strain of Avian Influenza present at the Infected Premises near Diss is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Further characterisation of the virus is in progress, which may give an indication of the origin of the strain.

Local authorities and Animal Health are enforcing a 3km Protection Zone, a 10km Surveillance Zone and a wider Restricted Zone covering the whole of Suffolk and most of Norfolk around the Infected Premises. In these zones, movement restrictions will be imposed and poultry must be isolated from wild birds. In addition, it has been announced that the national general licence on bird gatherings has been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.

A full epidemiological investigation and tracings of any dangerous contacts are underway and all possible sources of the outbreak will be investigated.

Fred Landeg, the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer said:

"We are keeping all poultry keepers registered on the Great Britain Poultry register informed of the developing situation and I must stress how important it is for all poultry keepers in the locality to be extremely vigilant. They must report any suspicions of disease to their Animal Health office immediately and practice the highest levels of biosecurity.

“We have faced H5N1 once already this year, but there is still significant uncertainty surrounding this outbreak. Swift reporting of disease and stringent biosecurity is essential to controlling this disease and we are working to our established contingency plans".


The European Commission has been informed of this development.


Precautionary culling on four further premises

Following initial epidemiological work and veterinary assessment, four further premises have been identified as Dangerous Contacts. All poultry on these premises will be culled as a precautionary measure. These premises are within the existing Restricted Zone. This action is in line with our contingency plans and takes into account the level of assessed risk at this early stage in the outbreak.

In addition, some general licences to address immediate welfare issues in the area covered by the zones are being issued today.

Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said:

“At this stage we have not confirmed disease on any of these four premises. This is a precautionary measure taken to prevent any potential spread of the disease.

“I must stress again that poultry keepers in the area must be extremely vigilant, practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health office."

The strain of Avian Influenza present at the Infected Premises near Diss was confirmed yesterday as the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. This strain is similar to that found in Germany and the Czech Republic during the summer. Further characterisation of the virus is in progress. A full epidemiological investigation into the source of the outbreak is underway.

The national ban on bird gatherings remains firmly in place. Movement restrictions apply in the Protection, Surveillance and Restricted Zones. It has been decided today to allow some low-risk movements under general licence, including the movement of poultry to slaughter from outside the Surveillance Zone to inside and the movement of table eggs to designated packing centres for distribution. In addition, the movement of day old chicks out of the Surveillance Zone may be permitted under specific licence from Animal Health.
Source
DEFRA releases
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