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Bird flu outbreak type identified Bird flu outbreak type identified
(about 1 hour later)
The type of H7 bird flu found in hens in Oxfordshire is "highly pathogenic", the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said.The type of H7 bird flu found in hens in Oxfordshire is "highly pathogenic", the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said.
This means it can cause serious illness or death in birds. People coming into close contact with it also run a slight risk of being made ill.This means it can cause serious illness or death in birds. People coming into close contact with it also run a slight risk of being made ill.
Previous cases of H7 in Britain have been "low pathogenicity" - meaning the symptoms in birds are not severe.Previous cases of H7 in Britain have been "low pathogenicity" - meaning the symptoms in birds are not severe.
All birds on the infected premises, near Banbury, have been slaughtered. All 25,000 birds on the premises, near Banbury, have been slaughtered.
The H7 strain is regarded as a much less serious threat to human health than the highly virulent H5N1 strain.The H7 strain is regarded as a much less serious threat to human health than the highly virulent H5N1 strain.
Tests are now being conducted at the affected farm to determine the exact type of H7 present.Tests are now being conducted at the affected farm to determine the exact type of H7 present.
An investigation is also under way to try find the source of the outbreak.An investigation is also under way to try find the source of the outbreak.
No movementNo movement
A temporary control zone was set up around the farm following the discovery of the disease on Tuesday.A temporary control zone was set up around the farm following the discovery of the disease on Tuesday.
The control zone has a 3km (1.8-mile) inner zone and a 10km (6.2-mile) outer zone.The control zone has a 3km (1.8-mile) inner zone and a 10km (6.2-mile) outer zone.
Within the inner zone, all kept birds must be isolated from contact with wild birds. Bird gatherings and movements are banned within the whole zone, as is the movement of some products.All the birds on the farm, nearby Banbury, are being slaughteredWithin the inner zone, all kept birds must be isolated from contact with wild birds. Bird gatherings and movements are banned within the whole zone, as is the movement of some products.All the birds on the farm, nearby Banbury, are being slaughtered
Defra says it is urgently considering whether any wider control measures may be needed given the high pathogenicity of the strain.Defra says it is urgently considering whether any wider control measures may be needed given the high pathogenicity of the strain.
The Health Protection Agency said it would be following up those who might have been in contact with the infected birds to offer them guidance and preventative medication.The Health Protection Agency said it would be following up those who might have been in contact with the infected birds to offer them guidance and preventative medication.
However, it stressed the risk to human health from H7 avian influenza was low and said it did not transmit easily to humans.However, it stressed the risk to human health from H7 avian influenza was low and said it did not transmit easily to humans.
Someone infected would most likely have to have ingested bird faeces.Someone infected would most likely have to have ingested bird faeces.
Dr Colin Butter, of the Institute of Animal Health, said highly pathogenic H7 would cause "rapid and very high mortality" among poultry, but did not pose a serious health threat to humans.Dr Colin Butter, of the Institute of Animal Health, said highly pathogenic H7 would cause "rapid and very high mortality" among poultry, but did not pose a serious health threat to humans.
He said officials would be tracing movements on and off the infected farm and examining the wild bird population to try to determine the origin of the outbreak.He said officials would be tracing movements on and off the infected farm and examining the wild bird population to try to determine the origin of the outbreak.
"It either came in as a highly pathogenic virus or recently mutated from the low pathogenic virus, which it does quite easily in H7 strains," Dr Butter said."It either came in as a highly pathogenic virus or recently mutated from the low pathogenic virus, which it does quite easily in H7 strains," Dr Butter said.
The RSPB said it was "exceedingly unlikely" that wild birds could be the source.The RSPB said it was "exceedingly unlikely" that wild birds could be the source.
'Safe to eat''Safe to eat'
The Food Standards Agency said the outbreak "poses no safety implications for the human food chain".The Food Standards Agency said the outbreak "poses no safety implications for the human food chain".
Dr Judith Hilton, the FSA's head of microbiological safety, said: "Properly cooked poultry and poultry products are safe to eat.Dr Judith Hilton, the FSA's head of microbiological safety, said: "Properly cooked poultry and poultry products are safe to eat.
"The science shows that the virus isn't contracted by eating food, but usually by close contact with infected birds.""The science shows that the virus isn't contracted by eating food, but usually by close contact with infected birds."
There have been several outbreaks of bird flu in the UK.There have been several outbreaks of bird flu in the UK.
The most recent, in January this year, saw the H5N1 strain confirmed in 11 wild birds near Chesil Beach in Dorset.The most recent, in January this year, saw the H5N1 strain confirmed in 11 wild birds near Chesil Beach in Dorset.
In 2006, a farm worker contracted the H7 strain after coming into close contact with infected birds in North Tuddenham, Norfolk.In 2006, a farm worker contracted the H7 strain after coming into close contact with infected birds in North Tuddenham, Norfolk.