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11/01/2008
Restrictions Follow Bird Flu Outbreak
A wild life reserve is working closely with the Government's agricultural department to try to contain an outbreak the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Health experts are also to inspect a number of poultry farms after three wild swans tested positive for the deadly bird disease.
Following the discovery of the swans on Thursday, at the Abbotsbury Swannery - which is an open reserve in the Chesil Beach area of Dorset - restrictions were put in place on the movement of captive birds.
About 12 staff are also being monitored by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at the reserve for signs of the disease, though the risk of infection is said to be low.
John Houston, general manager at Abbotsbury Tourism Ltd, said the birds had been found by a member of staff at the swannery and Defra was notified as part of standard procedure.
"Our main concern is the welfare of the swans, our staff and the general public," Mr Houston said.
"We are working closely with Defra to ensure that this outbreak is contained and that the number of swans affected is limited."
Mr Houston said the HPA had advised there was almost no risk of infection among swannery staff, but they had begun a course of Tamiflu tablets as a precaution.
Three of the staff are full-time, while the others were identified as coming into contact with the swannery for different reasons, including deliveries.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set up control and monitoring areas around the Abbotsbury site to try to contain the outbreak.
Severe movement restrictions apply within the zones, with bird owners only permitted to move their flocks under special licence from Defra.
Within the control and monitoring areas, bird gatherings such as poultry auctions and pigeon races are banned, and owners of poultry and other captive birds are required to house their flocks where possible.
All commercial poultry premises in the area are to undergo inspection by Defra officials for signs of the disease.
Defra said that no disease has been found in domestic birds, and that there were no plans to cull wild flocks as this may disperse birds further.
(BMcC)
Health experts are also to inspect a number of poultry farms after three wild swans tested positive for the deadly bird disease.
Following the discovery of the swans on Thursday, at the Abbotsbury Swannery - which is an open reserve in the Chesil Beach area of Dorset - restrictions were put in place on the movement of captive birds.
About 12 staff are also being monitored by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at the reserve for signs of the disease, though the risk of infection is said to be low.
John Houston, general manager at Abbotsbury Tourism Ltd, said the birds had been found by a member of staff at the swannery and Defra was notified as part of standard procedure.
"Our main concern is the welfare of the swans, our staff and the general public," Mr Houston said.
"We are working closely with Defra to ensure that this outbreak is contained and that the number of swans affected is limited."
Mr Houston said the HPA had advised there was almost no risk of infection among swannery staff, but they had begun a course of Tamiflu tablets as a precaution.
Three of the staff are full-time, while the others were identified as coming into contact with the swannery for different reasons, including deliveries.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set up control and monitoring areas around the Abbotsbury site to try to contain the outbreak.
Severe movement restrictions apply within the zones, with bird owners only permitted to move their flocks under special licence from Defra.
Within the control and monitoring areas, bird gatherings such as poultry auctions and pigeon races are banned, and owners of poultry and other captive birds are required to house their flocks where possible.
All commercial poultry premises in the area are to undergo inspection by Defra officials for signs of the disease.
Defra said that no disease has been found in domestic birds, and that there were no plans to cull wild flocks as this may disperse birds further.
(BMcC)
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