Bird flu outbreak in north Wales
Pastor Dale Morgan
Bird flu outbreak in north Wales*
By Laura Clout and agencies
Last Updated: 3:14pm BST 24/05/2007
A case of bird flu in north Wales was confirmed by experts today.
Doctor Christianne Glossop, Wales' Chief Veterinary Officer, said the
strain is H7N2 low pathogenic avian influenza, which is different from
the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain currently circulating in Asia.
Speaking at a press briefing at the National Assembly for Wales in
Cardiff today, she said that chickens had been dying at the North Wales
smallholding over the past two weeks.
Fifteen 22-week-old Rhode Island chickens were bought by the
smallholding two weeks ago, bringing their total number of birds to 45
chickens and two geese.
But one of the birds died the day after they were taken to the site, and
by May 17, 10 birds were dead, all from the new group of chickens.
The owners of the smallholding called their own veterinary surgeon, who
then contacted the state veterinary service.
Dr Glossop said: "At that time there was no reason to suspect notifiable
avian disease."
Dr Glossop said: "Wales and Great Britain contingency plans have been
activated and in line with these the farm has been placed under
restrictions.
"A one kilometre restriction zone has been placed around the affected
premises, details of which will be posted on our website this afternoon.
"Within the zone, birds and bird products can't be moved.
"Bird gatherings may only take place under licence.
"We are not yet asking bird keepers within the zone to bring their birds
indoors."
Dr Glossop said the situation was not being played down, but emphasised
that the strain found is not highly pathogenic.
She said that all measures in Wales's contingency plan for bird flu were
being put in place.
The Welsh Assembly Government was working with the Scottish Executive
and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, she added.
Dr Mike Simmons, senior medical officer for Wales, said there was a
large enough supply of flu drug Tamiflu to provide a five-day treatment
course for a quarter of the population of Wales.
Supplies of the drug have been delivered to the local health board for
the affected area.
Dr Simmons said: "There is no ongoing risk to the public."
Britain has been on the look out for bird disease after Europe’s biggest
turkey producer Bernard Matthews was forced to destroy 160,000 turkeys
because of a bird flu outbreak earlier this year.