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17/01/2008
Fourth Swan Dies From Bird Flu Virus
The UK's defences against Bird Flu have been highlighted again with news that a fourth swan has now tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that this latest case follows three other wild swans testing positive for the virus after they were found dead at the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset, an open reserve in the Chesil Beach area, during routine surveillance.
Restrictions on poultry movements in the area were imposed after the dead birds were confirmed to be infected with the deadly strain of bird flu last Thursday.
This latest case is a further escalation and will worry officials as the virulent H5N1 strain has killed more than 200 people worldwide since 2003 and millions of birds had either died from it or been killed to prevent its spread.
However, Defra has set up control and monitoring areas around the premises where these latest bird fatalities were discovered.
Inside the areas bird keepers are required to house their birds and isolate them from contact with wild birds while bird shows and similar gatherings are banned.
Britain's first case of the deadly strain was in a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke in Scotland in 2006 and there have subsequently been outbreaks at poultry farms in eastern England, most recently last November.
(BMcC)
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that this latest case follows three other wild swans testing positive for the virus after they were found dead at the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset, an open reserve in the Chesil Beach area, during routine surveillance.
Restrictions on poultry movements in the area were imposed after the dead birds were confirmed to be infected with the deadly strain of bird flu last Thursday.
This latest case is a further escalation and will worry officials as the virulent H5N1 strain has killed more than 200 people worldwide since 2003 and millions of birds had either died from it or been killed to prevent its spread.
However, Defra has set up control and monitoring areas around the premises where these latest bird fatalities were discovered.
Inside the areas bird keepers are required to house their birds and isolate them from contact with wild birds while bird shows and similar gatherings are banned.
Britain's first case of the deadly strain was in a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke in Scotland in 2006 and there have subsequently been outbreaks at poultry farms in eastern England, most recently last November.
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
