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update:Feb 6, 2007
Britain hit with H5N1 bird flu
It has been confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus has
been detected for the first time on a British poultry farm after 2,500 turkeys
died.
According to Britain's Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Fred Landeg, all
159,000 turkeys were slaughtered on the farm in Holton in Suffolk, about 130
miles northeast of London, and that he expects the outbreak to be contained. In
addition, restrictions on the movement of poultry have been put into effect
order to prevent the spread of deadly bird flu from eastern England.
Experts stressed the situation did not pose a public health threat. Workers
at
Bernard
Matthews-owned farm have been offered antiviral drugs and are wearing
protective clothing, said
Health Protection Agency virologist Maria Zambon. She added
that the virus does not transmit easily to humans and has not been found to be
transmitted through food.
This outbreak is the first case of
H5N1
among European poultry since hundreds of turkeys died at a farm in eastern
France about a year ago. Bird shows, markets and pigeon racing have been
cancelled until further notice.
Editor WorldPoultry
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