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Vets working to contain bird flu Vets working to contain bird flu
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of turkeys are being gassed at a poultry farm in Suffolk in a bid to contain Britain's first mass outbreak of Asian bird flu. Tens of thousands of turkeys are being gassed at a farm in Suffolk in a bid to contain Britain's first mass outbreak of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
A biosecurity zone has also been set up around the Bernard Matthews farm near Lowestoft - where the H5N1 virus was first discovered - as a precaution. A biosecurity zone has also been set up around the Bernard Matthews farm near Lowestoft - where the virus was first discovered - as a precaution.
Owners of domestic fowl are being told to keep their birds indoors.Owners of domestic fowl are being told to keep their birds indoors.
The H5N1 virus can be fatal if passed on to humans but health experts said that risk was "very low".The H5N1 virus can be fatal if passed on to humans but health experts said that risk was "very low".
A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have now been set up around the farm in Holton, which is approximately 27km south-west of Lowestoft.A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have now been set up around the farm in Holton, which is approximately 27km south-west of Lowestoft.
A much wider restricted zone covering 2,090 sq km is bordered by the A140 to the west and the A47 to the north and almost to Felixstowe in the south.A much wider restricted zone covering 2,090 sq km is bordered by the A140 to the west and the A47 to the north and almost to Felixstowe in the south.
What each zone meansWhat each zone means
Q&A: Bird flu Send us your comments Q&A: Bird flu Send us your comments
The authorities have also responded to criticisms in newspapers suggesting that they responded slowly to the outbreak.The authorities have also responded to criticisms in newspapers suggesting that they responded slowly to the outbreak.
Fred Landeg - the government's deputy chief vet - rejected such claims, pointing out that a vet was first called out on Tuesday, but turkeys only began to die in significant numbers two days later, suggesting that avian flu may be the cause of the deaths.Fred Landeg - the government's deputy chief vet - rejected such claims, pointing out that a vet was first called out on Tuesday, but turkeys only began to die in significant numbers two days later, suggesting that avian flu may be the cause of the deaths.
"The premises were immediately placed under restrictions and an investigation started," he said."The premises were immediately placed under restrictions and an investigation started," he said.
Earlier he said the most likely source of the outbreak could have been wild birds.Earlier he said the most likely source of the outbreak could have been wild birds.
Government vets spent the night and morning gassing 160,000 birds at the Suffolk farm.Government vets spent the night and morning gassing 160,000 birds at the Suffolk farm.
The virus has so far been detected in only one shed out of 22.
A spokeswoman said their carcasses were being transported in "sealed, leak-proof lorries, fully covered with tarpaulin" for destruction at a Staffordshire plant.A spokeswoman said their carcasses were being transported in "sealed, leak-proof lorries, fully covered with tarpaulin" for destruction at a Staffordshire plant.
Outbreak 'contained'
Farmers in the restricted area have been told to keep their flocks isolated from wild birds and any movements must be licensed.Farmers in the restricted area have been told to keep their flocks isolated from wild birds and any movements must be licensed.
The authorities have reassured the public that the outbreak has been tackled quickly.
Jill Korwin, assistant head of Trading Standards for Suffolk, said: "At the moment we are very encouraged that it has been contained."
Farmers react to outbreakFarmers react to outbreak
United Nations' co-ordinator for bird flu, David Nabarro, has said farmers will have to get used to the presence of the disease in the UK as it is "going to be in bird populations for several years to come". United Nations co-ordinator for bird flu David Nabarro has said farmers will have to get used to the presence of the disease in the UK as it is "going to be in bird populations for several years to come".
He said: "The way in which we'll deal with it is by implementing the well-rehearsed plan, which is to stamp it out at source. We've got to learn to accept that, not see it as a serious problem and just get on with normal poultry-rearing and consumption."He said: "The way in which we'll deal with it is by implementing the well-rehearsed plan, which is to stamp it out at source. We've got to learn to accept that, not see it as a serious problem and just get on with normal poultry-rearing and consumption."
The virus has killed 164 people worldwide - mainly in south-east Asia - since 2003. So far, all those who have been infected worldwide have come into close contact with infected birds.The virus has killed 164 people worldwide - mainly in south-east Asia - since 2003. So far, all those who have been infected worldwide have come into close contact with infected birds.
Health Protection Agency chief executive Professor Pat Troop stressed that the virus "doesn't pass easily from bird to human" and the risk to the general population from the outbreak was "very, very low". However, Health Protection Agency chief executive Professor Pat Troop stressed that the virus "doesn't pass easily from bird to human" and the risk to the general population from the outbreak was "very, very low".
She said that poultry was safe to eat providing it was properly cooked and that Britain had good stocks of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu. She added more than 100 people had so far been given it following the Suffolk outbreak. Government 'prepared'
Sir David King, the Government's chief scientific adviser, also dismissed concerns about the possible spread to humans.
"This doesn't add to the likelihood of it leading to a human pandemic at all. This doesn't add to the scare one little bit," he told ITV1's The Sunday Edition.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the government was preparing for the remote possibility of a human flu pandemic.
"We are preparing very, very seriously and thoroughly for the possibility of a pandemic flu," Ms Hewitt told The Sunday Edition.
She added: "It is a very remote risk, but if it did happen it could be very serious indeed."
The Department of Health has taken the advice of scientists and stockpiled enough of the Tamiflu anti-viral drug to cover a quarter of the population, she said.
More than 100 people have so far been given the drug following the Suffolk outbreak.
Kitchen hygieneKitchen hygiene
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said the flu virus is the "highly pathogenic" Asian strain, similar to a virus that was found in Hungary in January.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said the flu virus is the "highly pathogenic" Asian strain, similar to a virus that was found in Hungary in January.
In that incident, the first time bird flu had occurred in the European Union since August 2006, a flock of 3,000 geese was killed.In that incident, the first time bird flu had occurred in the European Union since August 2006, a flock of 3,000 geese was killed.
A spokesman for the Bernard Matthews company, which runs the farm in Holton, said none of the affected birds had entered the food chain and there was no risk to public health.A spokesman for the Bernard Matthews company, which runs the farm in Holton, said none of the affected birds had entered the food chain and there was no risk to public health.
DEFRA CONTINGENCY PLAN Full document [372KB] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader hereDEFRA CONTINGENCY PLAN Full document [372KB] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader here
In May last year, more than 50,000 chickens were culled after an outbreak of the H7 bird flu in farms in the neighbouring county of Norfolk.In May last year, more than 50,000 chickens were culled after an outbreak of the H7 bird flu in farms in the neighbouring county of Norfolk.
One member of staff at the farm contracted the disease and was treated for an eye infection.One member of staff at the farm contracted the disease and was treated for an eye infection.
In March 2006, a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke, Fife, was found to have the H5N1 strain of the virus.In March 2006, a wild swan found dead in Cellardyke, Fife, was found to have the H5N1 strain of the virus.
For more information call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77For more information call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77
If you have any pictures from the scene you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text your pictures to 07725 100 100.If you have any pictures from the scene you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text your pictures to 07725 100 100.
Scene of outbreak All poultry to be culledVisitors disinfected and restricted access 3km Protection Zone Poultry kept indoors and tested 10km Surveillance Zone No movement of poultry to or from area except for slaughterRail transport restricted to non-stopping movementsBird fairs and markets bannedIncreased surveillance of wetland areasDomestic birds not to share water used by wild birdsFootpath restrictions likely only on free-range farmsPeople in towns not affected unless they keep poultry. Restriction Zone Isolation of poultry from wild birdsMovements to be licensed Source: Defra Scene of outbreak All poultry to be culledVisitors disinfected and restricted access 3km Protection Zone Poultry kept indoors and tested 10km Surveillance Zone No movement of poultry to or from area except for slaughterTrains carrying live poultry are prevented from stopping in the protection zoneBird fairs and markets bannedIncreased surveillance of wetland areasDomestic birds not to share water used by wild birdsFootpath restrictions likely only on free-range farmsPeople in towns not affected unless they keep poultry. Restriction Zone Isolation of poultry from wild birdsPoultry movements to be licensed Source: Defra
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