Bird flu confirmed in England

**Adam** · 6th April 2006, 09:14 AM

Darn

Quote:

Bird flu confirmed in dead swan

Preliminary tests have confirmed the H5 avian flu virus in a sample from a swan found dead in Fife, health officials have revealed.

The exact virus strain is not known, but tests were continuing and further results were expected on Thursday.

The Scottish Executive said restrictions had been put in place around Cellardyke, east of Anstruther.

If the disease is confirmed as the deadly H5N1 strain there may be further restrictions set up.

The dead bird was found near the coast in an emaciated state. Samples were being sent for analysis at the EU's bird flu laboratory in Weybridge, Surrey.
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Bird flu

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.

Bird keepers outside the protection zone should redouble their efforts to prepare for bringing their birds indoors if that becomes necessary

Charles Milne
Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland

Poultry farmers hold breath
In quotes: Bird flu reaction

Officials stressed that there was no reason for public health concern.

It is understood that the government's national emergency committee Cobra will meet on Thursday.

Representatives from Defra, the Scottish Executive, the Department of Health, the Cabinet Office and 10 Downing Street are expected to attend.

The H5N1 virus does not at present pose a large-scale threat to humans, as it cannot pass easily from one person to another.

However, 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.

According to the National Farmers Union Scotland, the Scottish poultry industry produces 127,000 tones of meat and 740 million eggs. However, there are thought to be no poultry farms in the immediate area of flu case.

Police have been stopping traffic around the affected area

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."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, in whose Fife North East constituency the bird was found, said he would follow the situation "very closely".

High alert

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."
First Minister Jack McConnell said he had spoken to other ministerial offices and was being kept informed of the situation.

Over the last few weeks we've seen swans and other birds dying in Western Europe

Dr David Nabarro
UN bird flu co-ordinator

Mr McConnell was notified whilst on an engagement in Washington as part of his involvement in Tartan Week.

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 in a wild bird and not on a poultry farm.
BBC medical correspondent Fergus Walsh added that concerns over the case should not get out of proportion.

He said it could mean a potential crisis for the poultry industry, but not for humans.

Denmark recorded its first case of the potentially deadly H5N1 avian flu virus last month.

The strain has already been found in Europe in Switzerland, Poland, Serbia-Montenegro and Albania.

France recorded its first case in February.

Dr David Nabarro, the UN bird flu co-ordinator, told News 24: "Over the last few weeks we've seen swans and other birds dying in Western Europe and being found to have this virus, H5N1, on board. "So, it's quite to be expected you have a case appearing in Scotland."

Mapper · 6th April 2006, 01:01 PM

You mean 'Bird Flu confirmed in Scotland' ? But yes its rather sad, Right next to where I live

**Adam** · 6th April 2006, 01:08 PM

Yar, i'm not sure why the title said England

Mapper · 6th April 2006, 01:25 PM

Minotaur2k · 6th April 2006, 01:58 PM

England....Scotland......Is there any real difference?

Thradia · 6th April 2006, 02:10 PM

Bah..that's not good...

Mapper · 6th April 2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minotaur2k

England....Scotland......Is there any real difference?

Of course there is.

Minotaur2k · 6th April 2006, 02:59 PM

Ok, other than one dresses like women and the others are women.....LOL *runs before getting billy clubbed*

Mapper · 6th April 2006, 03:00 PM

Hey now! We love our kilts!

**Ezekiel** · 6th April 2006, 03:19 PM

Is it all considered UK?

Its certainly not good, but I still wouldnt go crazy. Im sure that plenty of private companies are working on anti-virus meds as we speak...who knows, it might actually result in greater strides in combatting viruses in general...

6th April 2006, 01:01 PM	#2
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 285 Gold: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England You mean 'Bird Flu confirmed in Scotland' ? But yes its rather sad, Right next to where I live

6th April 2006, 01:08 PM	#3
Adam Lead Administrator Owner Join Date: Oct 1990 Posts: 6,267 Gold: 106,039 My Mood: Thanks: 54 Thanked 721 Times in 226 Posts	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England Yar, i'm not sure why the title said England Get your own personal forum Like these ones - Personal forum listing Bored @ work? Play in our arcade! Useful Tips on how to use UOForums Open your own blog

6th April 2006, 01:25 PM	#4
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 285 Gold: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England :p

6th April 2006, 01:58 PM	#5
Minotaur2k Meow Join Date: Feb 2006 Shard: Catskills Posts: 580 Gold: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England England....Scotland......Is there any real difference? There are no stupid questions......only stupid people!

6th April 2006, 02:10 PM	#6
Thradia licks Join Date: Apr 2004 Shard: Napa Valley Posts: 1,352 Gold: 447 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England Bah..that's not good...

6th April 2006, 02:59 PM	#8
Minotaur2k Meow Join Date: Feb 2006 Shard: Catskills Posts: 580 Gold: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England Ok, other than one dresses like women and the others are women.....LOL runs before getting billy clubbed There are no stupid questions......only stupid people!

6th April 2006, 03:00 PM	#9
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 285 Gold: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England Hey now! We love our kilts!

6th April 2006, 03:19 PM	#10
Ezekiel Wycorp--Dwarf Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Area 52 Posts: 2,442 Gold: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Bird flu confirmed in England Is it all considered UK? Its certainly not good, but I still wouldnt go crazy. Im sure that plenty of private companies are working on anti-virus meds as we speak...who knows, it might actually result in greater strides in combatting viruses in general...

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