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Three tested for bird flu at Hampshire farm Upham farm bird flu: Three people tested for infection
(about 9 hours later)
Three people have been tested for bird flu following an outbreak at a farm in Hampshire.Three people have been tested for bird flu following an outbreak at a farm in Hampshire.
Work is under way to slaughter 10,000 chickens at the farm in Upham.Work is under way to slaughter 10,000 chickens at the farm in Upham.
Tests showed the outbreak as a "low severity" H7 strain of the disease, a much less serious form than the H5N8 strain found at a Yorkshire duck farm, in November.Tests showed the outbreak as a "low severity" H7 strain of the disease, a much less serious form than the H5N8 strain found at a Yorkshire duck farm, in November.
There are no links between the two cases, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.There are no links between the two cases, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.
It said "robust action" was being taken to prevent any spread of the disease.It said "robust action" was being taken to prevent any spread of the disease.
A 1km (0.6 mile) poultry movement restriction zone has been imposed around the commercial chicken breeding farm, Defra said. A 1km (0.6 mile) poultry movement restriction zone has been imposed around the commercial chicken breeding farm.
'Extremely worrying' 'Potential to mutate'
According to advice from Public Health England (PHE), Defra said the strain posed very low risk to human health.According to advice from Public Health England (PHE), Defra said the strain posed very low risk to human health.
In a statement after news of the outbreak was made public on Monday, Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery said it was "extremely worrying". An investigation into the possible sources of the outbreak is under way.
"I've been liaising closely with Public Health England, based in Fareham, Hampshire County Council and Defra throughout today to ensure I'm kept up to date with developments. Chief vet Nigel Gibbens said it was important to find out whether the avian flu case had come from somewhere else or if it has spread.
"There is no doubt the authorities are taking it very seriously and regular updates will be issued in due course." However, he said early indications showed there was "no strong likelihood that happened".
Chief vet Nigel Gibbens said: "We have taken immediate action to contain this outbreak as part of our robust procedures for dealing swiftly with avian flu." "We have to consider the possibility that it came from wild birds in the area," he added.
"I would urge poultry keepers in the surrounding area to be vigilant for any signs of disease and to ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises," Mr Gibbens added. Paul Townsend, from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), said the cull was necessary in order to "stamp out" the strain which could "potentially mutate to become a more highly pathogenic version, having more severe affects".
Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery has praised the owner of the farm, whom he said had reported the case to the authorities.
The premises will be quarantined for three weeks and barns will also be disinfected.
There is no food safety risk for consumers, according to the Food Standards Agency.There is no food safety risk for consumers, according to the Food Standards Agency.
An investigation into the possible sources of the outbreak is under way Defra said anyone suspecting avian influenza should immediately contact their nearest APHA office.
Defra said anyone suspecting avian influenza should immediately contact their nearest Animal and Plant and Health Agency (APHA) office.