Avian Flu Update
22 November 2007
Latest news
22nd November:
- Laboratory test results confirmed yesterday that H5N1 Avian Influenza was found in turkeys at one of the Dangerous Contact premises. These premises were confirmed as a Dangerous Contact, and placed under restriction, on 14th November. Culling was completed on 17th November. On clinical inspection the flock appeared healthy which indicates the infection was in its early stages.
- As a result of confirming disease this now becomes the second Infected Premises. A 3km radius Protection Zone is being placed around the premises on the Norfolk-Suffolk border and the existing Surveillance Zone is being extended.
- The confirmation of the second infected premises, whilst it was a dangerous contact, confirms the need for vigilance by poultry owners and managers. They need to practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health office.
- The national ban on bird gatherings remains firmly in place. Movement restrictions apply in the Protection, Surveillance and Restricted Zones, and bird keepers in those zones are required to house or otherwise isolate their birds from wild birds.
- Following the identification of the second confirmed case a fifth premises has been confirmed as a Dangerous Contact. All poultry on this premise will be culled as a precautionary measure. These premises are within the existing Surveillance Zone and have been under restrictions and investigation since 15th November.
It remains essential all poultry keepers practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health office.
17th November: Avian Influenza and FMD update - Rural Issues Group Update
A new case of avian flu has been confirmed on the Suffolk, Norfolk border. The following information is an update on the latest position.
- The original case occurred at Redgrave Park Farm, near Diss. Around 6,500 birds were destroyed there in the last 48 hours
- The strain was confirmed as H5N1
- 22,000 poultry altogether will be destroyed at Redgrave Park and on four additional farms amid concerns they could have been exposed to the H5N1 virus. The additional birds are being slaughtered as a precautionary measure on four sites that are operated by the same company as the free-range rearing unit at Redgrave. The farms were assessed by Defra as having "dangerous contact" with the initial outbreak because staff on the farm at Redgrave Park also work at the other premises. It is important to note, however that no sign of the actual virus has been detected at these sites.
- The four additional sites are at Stone House Farm in West Harling, Norfolk; Bridge Farm in Pulham, Norfolk; Grove Farm in Botesdale, Suffolk; and Hill Meadow in Knetishall, Suffolk.
- One of the four premises on which the culls are taking place is inside the 3km (two-mile) protection zone set up around the Redgrave rearing unit.
- The other three are outside the 10km (six-mile) surveillance zone but are within the restricted zone which covers Suffolk and most of Norfolk, Defra said.
- The new Restricted Zone requires the isolation of poultry from wild birds. Movements within this zone can take place, but movements are not permitted out of the new zone at present. Defra are expecting to make available general licences for low risk movements out of the zone shortly.
- No movements of poultry are permitted at present in the 3km and 10km zones around the Infected Premises.
- In addition, the national general licence permitting bird gatherings in England has been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.
SEEDA will continue to provide updates on the situation as news becomes available. The latest news can also be found on the defra website at www.defra.gov.uk.
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