This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6330167.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Experts hunt for bird flu source Experts hunt for bird flu source
(20 minutes later)
Experts are still trying to determine the source of an outbreak of bird flu at a Suffolk farm as a cull of thousands of turkeys nears its end.Experts are still trying to determine the source of an outbreak of bird flu at a Suffolk farm as a cull of thousands of turkeys nears its end.
Government vets said nearly 160,000 turkeys will have been gassed to contain the outbreak at the Bernard Matthews site near Lowestoft.Government vets said nearly 160,000 turkeys will have been gassed to contain the outbreak at the Bernard Matthews site near Lowestoft.
They say the H5N1 strain was similar to a case in geese in Hungary in January.They say the H5N1 strain was similar to a case in geese in Hungary in January.
The outbreak has also led to industry concerns that unfounded fears over the safety of poultry may hit sales. There are industry concerns that poultry may hit sales, and Japan has suspended imports of UK birds.
That temporary move is a standard procedure carried out by Japanese authorities after a country has reported a bird flu outbreak.
CompensationCompensation
Bernard Matthews, meanwhile, will be entitled to receive compensation under the Animal Health Act for all healthy birds slaughtered to control diseases.Bernard Matthews, meanwhile, will be entitled to receive compensation under the Animal Health Act for all healthy birds slaughtered to control diseases.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the firm could claim under the Animal Health Act 1981 the value of each bird just before slaughter as well as that of any eggs and property removed and destroyed.The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the firm could claim under the Animal Health Act 1981 the value of each bird just before slaughter as well as that of any eggs and property removed and destroyed.
Bird watchers stay vigilant Bird watchers stay vigilant
Investigations are continuing into how the disease, identified as the "highly pathogenic" Asian strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus, entered the poultry flock.Investigations are continuing into how the disease, identified as the "highly pathogenic" Asian strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus, entered the poultry flock.
There are suggestions the most likely way for the virus to have been spread by wild birds.There are suggestions the most likely way for the virus to have been spread by wild birds.
But BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said migration does not take place at this time of year and there were no indications of an EU outbreak from monitoring programmes.But BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said migration does not take place at this time of year and there were no indications of an EU outbreak from monitoring programmes.
The experts acknowledge it may be impossible to trace the exact cause of the outbreak, our correspondent said.The experts acknowledge it may be impossible to trace the exact cause of the outbreak, our correspondent said.
Exclusion zoneExclusion zone
The cull at the farm at Holton, about 27km south-west of Lowestoft is expected to be completed by Monday morning.The cull at the farm at Holton, about 27km south-west of Lowestoft is expected to be completed by Monday morning.
Farmer reacts to threatFarmer reacts to threat
Fourteen sealed lorries containing the bird carcasses have been travelling to a rendering plant in Cheddleton, Staffordshire, where they will be incinerated. Fourteen sealed lorries containing the bird carcasses have been travelling to a rendering plant in Cheddleton, Staffordshire, for incineration.
The first turkeys died at the site on Tuesday and government vets were called in on Thursday after a vet for the Bernard Matthews company concluded the disease was "unidentifiable".The first turkeys died at the site on Tuesday and government vets were called in on Thursday after a vet for the Bernard Matthews company concluded the disease was "unidentifiable".
The authorities have denied their response was slow.The authorities have denied their response was slow.
Fred Landeg, the government's deputy chief vet, said that although the company vet was called out on Tuesday, turkeys only began to die in significant numbers two days later, suggesting avian flu might be cause. Fred Landeg, the government's deputy chief vet, said that although the company vet was called out on Tuesday, turkeys only began to die in significant numbers two days later, suggesting avian flu might be the cause.
Q&A: Bird flu Send us your comments Q&A: Bird flu Send us your comments
A biosecurity zone has been set up around the farm and poultry owners in the restricted area have been told to keep their flocks isolated from wild birds.A biosecurity zone has been set up around the farm and poultry owners in the restricted area have been told to keep their flocks isolated from wild birds.
A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone also remain in place around the farm site.A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone also remain in place around the farm site.
What each zone meansWhat each zone means
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.
Health experts have been quick to quell fears the virus found in Suffolk could be passed on to humans.Health experts have been quick to quell fears the virus found in Suffolk could be passed on to humans.
And agencies dealing with the Suffolk cull said they were confident it had been contained.
The avian flu virus has so far killed 164 people worldwide - mainly in south-east Asia - since 2003. So far, all those who contracted the virus had come into close contact with infected birds.The avian flu virus has so far killed 164 people worldwide - mainly in south-east Asia - since 2003. So far, all those who contracted the virus had come into close contact with infected birds.
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
The virus has so far been detected in only one shed out of 22 at the site, and 100 of the 2,000 staff who work at the Holton farm have been given the Tamiflu anti-viral drug.The virus has so far been detected in only one shed out of 22 at the site, and 100 of the 2,000 staff who work at the Holton farm have been given the Tamiflu anti-viral drug.
A spokesman for the Bernard Matthews company said none of the affected birds had entered the food chain and there was no risk to public health. A Bernard Matthews spokesman said none of the affected birds had entered the food chain and there was no risk to public health.
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".
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 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: DefraScene 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
Return to linkReturn to link