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| Experts hunt for bird flu source | Experts hunt for bird flu source |
| (10 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. |
| Nearly 160,000 turkeys are being gassed to contain the outbreak at the Bernard Matthews site near Lowestoft. | Nearly 160,000 turkeys are being gassed to contain the outbreak at the Bernard Matthews site near Lowestoft. |
| Officials say the risk the H5N1 strain poses to humans is "negligible", but are planning in case of a flu pandemic. | Officials say the risk the H5N1 strain poses to humans is "negligible", but are planning in case of a flu pandemic. |
| The government's crisis management committee Cobra is to meet for updates on efforts to contain the disease. | The government's crisis management committee Cobra is to meet for updates on efforts to contain the disease. |
| Rural Affairs Minister Ben Bradshaw said the priority was to contain and eradicate the disease, identified as the "highly pathogenic" Asian strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus. | Rural Affairs Minister Ben Bradshaw said the priority was to contain and eradicate the disease, identified as the "highly pathogenic" Asian strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus. |
| But experts are also trying to find the source of the outbreak. | But experts are also trying to find the source of the outbreak. |
| onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/guides/457000/457026/html/default.stm','20070205115153689','toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=568,left=200,top=200');return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/guides/457000/457026/html/default.stm" target="20070205115153689">Main poultry areas UK's bird-flu preparations Bird watchers stay vigilant Farmer reacts to threat | |
| Government vets say the strain was similar to a case in geese in Hungary in January and there have been suggestions it could have been spread by wild birds. | Government vets say the strain was similar to a case in geese in Hungary in January and there have been suggestions it could have been spread by wild birds. |
| But Mr Bradshaw said that as Hungary was such a distance away, they were not ruling out any particular source. | But Mr Bradshaw said that as Hungary was such a distance away, they were not ruling out any particular source. |
| Tests could take weeks and he said it was possible they would never know the exact cause. | Tests could take weeks and he said it was possible they would never know the exact cause. |
| Exclusion zone | Exclusion zone |
| A biosecurity zone has been set up around the farm at Holton, 27km south-west of Lowestoft, a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone also remain in place. | A biosecurity zone has been set up around the farm at Holton, 27km south-west of Lowestoft, a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone also remain in place. |
| Poultry owners in a wider restricted zone, covering 2,090 sq km, have been told to keep their flocks isolated from wild birds | Poultry owners in a wider restricted zone, covering 2,090 sq km, have been told to keep their flocks isolated from wild birds |
| The cull is continuing and sealed lorries containing bird carcasses have been travelling to a rendering plant in Cheddleton, Staffordshire, for incineration. | The cull is continuing and sealed lorries containing bird carcasses have been travelling to a rendering plant in Cheddleton, Staffordshire, for incineration. |
| Q&A: Bird flu Send us your comments | Q&A: Bird flu Send us your comments |
| The authorities have denied their response was slow. | The authorities have denied their response was slow. |
| Mr Bradshaw told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm satisfied that everyone has moved as quickly as they possibly could have." | Mr Bradshaw told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm satisfied that everyone has moved as quickly as they possibly could have." |
| He said only a small number of birds had died on Tuesday and Wednesday, which had not been unusual. | He said only a small number of birds had died on Tuesday and Wednesday, which had not been unusual. |
| But when more than 800 died on Thursday, the state veterinary service was informed and restrictions put in place. | But when more than 800 died on Thursday, the state veterinary service was informed and restrictions put in place. |
| What each zone means | What each zone means |
| Japan has temporarily suspended imports of UK birds and Charles Bourns, chairman of the National Farmers Union's poultry board, said farmers were worried about the potential impact on sales. | Japan has temporarily suspended imports of UK birds and Charles Bourns, chairman of the National Farmers Union's poultry board, said farmers were worried about the potential impact on sales. |
| He urged shoppers: "Just keep eating chicken and enjoying it. There is no danger from it. This is a disease of chickens and not of humans. Just carry on eating it as per normal." | He urged shoppers: "Just keep eating chicken and enjoying it. There is no danger from it. This is a disease of chickens and not of humans. Just carry on eating it as per normal." |
| 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. |
| Defra contingency plan [372KB] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader here | Defra contingency plan [372KB] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader here |
| But the government is preparing for the small chance the disease could mutate into a form which causes a flu pandemic. | But the government is preparing for the small chance the disease could mutate into a form which causes a flu pandemic. |
| Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "It is a very remote risk but if it did happen it could be very serious indeed." | Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "It is a very remote risk but if it did happen it could be very serious indeed." |
| The avian flu virus has so far killed 164 people worldwide - mainly in south-east Asia - since 2003. 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. All those who contracted the virus had come into close contact with infected birds. |
| 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 Bernard Matthews said: "None of the affected birds entered the food chain and there is no risk to consumers. | A spokesman for Bernard Matthews said: "None of the affected birds entered the food chain and there is no risk to consumers. |
| Bernard Matthews continues to work very closely with Defra and other industry bodies. All proper procedures were followed and we responded accordingly in good time." | Bernard Matthews continues to work very closely with Defra and other industry bodies. All proper procedures were followed and we responded accordingly in good time." |
| He added that the company had reassured staff and said there were no jobs at risk. | He added that the company had reassured staff and said there were no jobs at risk. |
| For more information call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 | For 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: 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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