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Four test positive for bird flu | Four test positive for bird flu |
(10 minutes later) | |
Four people have tested positive for a mild strain of bird flu which was first detected at a north Wales smallholding, the Health Protection Agency has said. | Four people have tested positive for a mild strain of bird flu which was first detected at a north Wales smallholding, the Health Protection Agency has said. |
A 1km restriction zone remains in place around the farm in Conwy after the "low pathogenic" H7N2 strain of bird flu was found in chickens which died there. | A 1km restriction zone remains in place around the farm in Conwy after the "low pathogenic" H7N2 strain of bird flu was found in chickens which died there. |
Tests were carried out on nine people associated with the incident, with the five other people testing negative. | Tests were carried out on nine people associated with the incident, with the five other people testing negative. |
Three of the nine were hospitalised but have now been discharged. | Three of the nine were hospitalised but have now been discharged. |
Health officials have stressed the disease found was the H7N2 strain of bird flu, not the more virulent H5N1. | Health officials have stressed the disease found was the H7N2 strain of bird flu, not the more virulent H5N1. |
In almost all human cases to date, the H7N2 infection has generally been associated with a mild disease and the risk to the general public is considered to be very low, they added. | In almost all human cases to date, the H7N2 infection has generally been associated with a mild disease and the risk to the general public is considered to be very low, they added. |
These test results confirm that human infection with the avian flu virus has occurred Prof Pat Troop, HPA | These test results confirm that human infection with the avian flu virus has occurred Prof Pat Troop, HPA |
Two of the four who tested positive were from Wales and the other two were from north-west England. | Two of the four who tested positive were from Wales and the other two were from north-west England. |
Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), said those who were associated with the infected or dead birds and had reported flu-like symptoms were tested "as a precaution". | Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), said those who were associated with the infected or dead birds and had reported flu-like symptoms were tested "as a precaution". |
"These test results confirm that human infection with the avian flu virus has occurred. The cases so far have been associated with the infected birds," Prof Troop said. | "These test results confirm that human infection with the avian flu virus has occurred. The cases so far have been associated with the infected birds," Prof Troop said. |
"It is important to remember that H7N2 avian flu remains largely a disease of birds. The virus does not transmit easily to humans. | "It is important to remember that H7N2 avian flu remains largely a disease of birds. The virus does not transmit easily to humans. |
"Worldwide, almost all human H7N2 infections documented so far, including those associated with this most recent incident, have been associated with infected poultry." | "Worldwide, almost all human H7N2 infections documented so far, including those associated with this most recent incident, have been associated with infected poultry." |
Virus confirmed | Virus confirmed |
On Friday, the couple living at the smallholding where the bird flu was detected were awaiting the result of tests carried out on them. | |
It is not known whether they are among those who have now tested postive. | It is not known whether they are among those who have now tested postive. |
The bird flu was confirmed at the farm at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Cerrigydrudion on Thursday. | The bird flu was confirmed at the farm at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Cerrigydrudion on Thursday. |
The owners had bought 15 Rhode Island Red chickens two weeks ago, but all had since died. | The owners had bought 15 Rhode Island Red chickens two weeks ago, but all had since died. |
Samples from the dead birds were first sent for testing on 17 May, and 30 others on the site were later slaughtered. | Samples from the dead birds were first sent for testing on 17 May, and 30 others on the site were later slaughtered. |
Wales's chief vet, Dr Christianne Glossop, said it was a "top priority" to find the source of the disease. | Wales's chief vet, Dr Christianne Glossop, said it was a "top priority" to find the source of the disease. |
Human health | Human health |
This is the first confirmed case of bird flu in Wales. | This is the first confirmed case of bird flu in Wales. |
There are various strains of the bird flu virus, with the H5N1 strain posing a risk to human health. | There are various strains of the bird flu virus, with the H5N1 strain posing a risk to human health. |
In February, more than 160,000 birds were slaughtered on a Suffolk farm owned by the Bernard Matthews firm after an outbreak of the H5N1 strain. | In February, more than 160,000 birds were slaughtered on a Suffolk farm owned by the Bernard Matthews firm after an outbreak of the H5N1 strain. |
Avian flu was found there on 3 February and 2,600 turkeys died from it - a further 159,000 birds were then culled. | Avian flu was found there on 3 February and 2,600 turkeys died from it - a further 159,000 birds were then culled. |