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Bird flu discovered in mute swans Bird flu discovered in mute swans
(9 minutes later)
Three mute swans in Dorset have been found dead with the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu.Three mute swans in Dorset have been found dead with the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Efforts have begun to test other birds at Abbotsbury Swannery, a sanctuary located nine miles from Weymouth.Efforts have begun to test other birds at Abbotsbury Swannery, a sanctuary located nine miles from Weymouth.
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said: "Our message to all bird keepers, particularly those in the area, is that they must be vigilant."Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said: "Our message to all bird keepers, particularly those in the area, is that they must be vigilant."
BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said officials would now try to establish how the virus spread.BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said officials would now try to establish how the virus spread.
'Big shock'
The swans' carcasses were found following routine surveillance, a statement from Defra said.The swans' carcasses were found following routine surveillance, a statement from Defra said.
It's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here John HoustonAbbotsbury Swannery Global impact of bird fluIt's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here John HoustonAbbotsbury Swannery Global impact of bird flu
Defra spokeswoman Linda Scott said: "Government vets have been testing them for avian flu for the last two days."Defra spokeswoman Linda Scott said: "Government vets have been testing them for avian flu for the last two days."
The statement added that a Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area has been set up around the Swannery, covering Chesil Beach and Portland Bill.The statement added that a Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area has been set up around the Swannery, covering Chesil Beach and Portland Bill.
Bird owners must isolate their flocks from wild birds within the zone.Bird owners must isolate their flocks from wild birds within the zone.
Culling of wild birds has been ruled out because experts fear this may disperse birds further.Culling of wild birds has been ruled out because experts fear this may disperse birds further.
John Houston from Abbotsbury Swannery, which holds 600 swans, staff were working closely with Defra officials John Houston from Abbotsbury Swannery, which holds 600 swans, said staff were working closely with Defra officials
He said: "It's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here.He said: "It's all a big shock. No-one expected it to come round here.
"Our main concern is the welfare of the swans, our staff and the general public."Our main concern is the welfare of the swans, our staff and the general public.
"We are also working with the Health Protection Agency to ensure that staff and public are fully protected.""We are also working with the Health Protection Agency to ensure that staff and public are fully protected."
Shadow Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly this is very disturbing news especially because of the connection with the wild bird population." It does seem to be the case that we are going to have to live with this particularly virulent disease Andre FarrarRSPB
Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly this is very disturbing news especially because of the connection with the wild bird population."
The discovery in Dorset is the latest in a series of bird flu cases in the UK.
In November 2007, around 5,000 birds slaughtered after the H5 strain of avian flu was confirmed in turkeys at Redgrave Park Farm, Suffolk.
Previously, a strain was found in chickens at a Norfolk farm in April 2006 and the month before that the deadly H5N1 strain was found in a dead swan on the Fife coast.
Andre Farrar of the RSPB said no-one should be surprised that there had been a further case of H5N1 in the wild bird population.
He added: "It does seem to be the case that we are going to have to live with this particularly virulent disease."