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Four test positive for bird flu | Four test positive for bird flu |
(about 11 hours 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 taken to hospital but have now been discharged. | Three of the nine were taken to hospital 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. |
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 |
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. | |
The five people who tested negative are being treated as having had the virus as a precaution. | |
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. |
The owners of the smallholding, Tony Williams and Barbara Cowling, have tested negative. | The owners of the smallholding, Tony Williams and Barbara Cowling, have tested negative. |
However, officials said this did not mean they had not been exposed to the virus, and further investigations were being carried out on their specimens. | However, officials said this did not mean they had not been exposed to the virus, and further investigations were being carried out on their specimens. |
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." |
Low risk | Low risk |
Dr Marion Lyons from the National Public Health Service for Wales said the source of the outbreak was clearly identified as the chickens on the smallholding, which had all been culled. | Dr Marion Lyons from the National Public Health Service for Wales said the source of the outbreak was clearly identified as the chickens on the smallholding, which had all been culled. |
"For most of the people we have found with symptoms, the illness has been mild. | "For most of the people we have found with symptoms, the illness has been mild. |
"We are contacting everyone who has been in close contact with the people who are ill so people who are not contacted by us should not worry. | "We are contacting everyone who has been in close contact with the people who are ill so people who are not contacted by us should not worry. |
"As is usual, we would advise anyone who is concerned about their health to consult their GP." | "As is usual, we would advise anyone who is concerned about their health to consult their GP." |
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said: "I would like to reassure the general public that the risk to their health from this outbreak is very low. | Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said: "I would like to reassure the general public that the risk to their health from this outbreak is very low. |
"This particular strain is not highly pathogenic and is normally only contracted following close contact with infected birds. In addition the symptoms are generally mild." | "This particular strain is not highly pathogenic and is normally only contracted following close contact with infected birds. In addition the symptoms are generally mild." |
All people known to have been in contact with the infected birds, or to have visited the farm, have been given anti-viral drugs. | All people known to have been in contact with the infected birds, or to have visited the farm, have been given anti-viral drugs. |
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 the birds had since died. | The owners had bought 15 Rhode Island Red chickens two weeks ago, but all the birds 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. |
They are asked to contact their local Animal Health Office or the Defra helpline 08459 33 55 77. Lines are open between 0900 BST - 1700 BST seven days a week. | They are asked to contact their local Animal Health Office or the Defra helpline 08459 33 55 77. Lines are open between 0900 BST - 1700 BST seven days a week. |