Confirmation Of AI In North Wales

UK - Chief veterinary officer for Wales Dr Christianne Glossop has confirmed a case of avian influenza (bird flu) on a hobby farm in North Wales.
calendar icon 25 May 2007
clock icon 3 minute read
The strain identified is H7N2 low pathogenic avian influenza. The strain is different to the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain currently circulating in South East Asia, and in Europe last year.

The farm has been placed under restriction and a 1km restriction zone has been placed around it. As the NFU understand, there are no commercial poultry farms in the immediate area. This means that within this zone, birds and bird products cannot be moved, bird gatherings can only take place under licence from Animal Health.

Of the total 45 birds, the 30 remaining birds on the farm are being slaughtered today.

The source of infection is being investigated by Animal Health.

Poultry keepers are being reminded to report any suspicious signs of a notifiable avian disease to their local Animal Health Divisional Office.

Members of the National Poultry Register will receive updates by text.

Avian influenza is a disease of birds. It is very rare for humans to become infected and even then it is normally associated with close contact with infected birds. The risk to the health of the general public is very low.

Routine tests are being carried out on people who work on the farm and anybody else who has been in close contact.

The small number of people who have potentially come into contact is very low. There are no on-going risks to the public but if people have concerns NHS Direct is always available for general health advice.
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