United Kingdom, Suffolk: low pathogenic bird flu H9N2 confirmed

[Gert van der Hoek]

Suffolk: Bird flu scare at Bernard Matthews poultry farm

By Tom Potter
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
9:34 AM


Animal health scientists are awaiting further tests after initial results came back negative for the H5 and H7 strains of avian influenza (AI) - both considered a potential threat to humans - at a Bernard Matthews farm.

Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) would not confirm where the tests had been carried out but said experts were called after a bird displayed respiratory problems.

They warned poultry keepers to stay vigilant and report any concerns to the animal health agency or to a vet.

A Defra spokeswoman said that both strains had the potential to be “highly pathogenic” but that tests had so far returned negative results.

Meanwhile, activities at the plant have been restricted as a precaution while further tests are completed.

A spokesperson for Bernard Matthews said: “We can confirm that some of our birds at one of our farms showed signs of ill health over the weekend. We felt it appropriate to report this to DEFRA. They have detected the presence of an avian influenza virus, but not the virulent H5 or H7 form. Some restrictions are in place as a precaution, but are expected to be lifted in the next few days.”

EADT24

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: United Kingdom, Suffolk: low pathogenic bird flu suspected

Bird flu at poultry farm in Suffolk

EMILY BEAMENT WEDNESDAY 17 APRIL 2013

Poultry at a farm in Suffolk have been diagnosed with bird flu, officials have said.

But the avian influenza strain identified at a Bernard Matthews farm is not a virulent form of the virus which can spread to humans.

In a statement, Bernard Matthews said one of the businesses' farms showed ill-health over the weekend, which it reported to the Environment Department (Defra).

The presence of an avian influenza virus has been detected, though it is not the H5 or H7 forms of the disease which have caused previous outbreaks in poultry in the UK and disease and death in people.

The company said restrictions at the farm were in place "as a precaution" but were expected to be lifted in the next few days.

A spokeswoman for Defra said: "We are awaiting further laboratory test results from an ongoing investigation into suspect avian disease at a premises in the South East.

"Initial results are negative for H5 and H7. The premises remains under restriction pending further results. Public Health England are aware and are ready to take the necessary action pending further test results."

The Independent

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: United Kingdom, Suffolk: low pathogenic bird flu H9N2 confirmed

13 May 2013

Bird flu at Bernard Matthews farm in Suffolk 'low risk'


Bird flu was discovered at Bernard Matthews' Ubbeston farm in April

An outbreak of bird flu at a Suffolk poultry farm posed a "low risk" to the public, Defra has said.

Restrictions on movement were put in place at the Bernard Matthews farm at Ubbeston, near Halesworth, after signs of the disease were spotted last month.

Defra tests found the birds had the H9N2 strain of the disease, which it said posed only a minor risk to humans.

Bernard Matthews said all the affected birds had since recovered and restrictions had been lifted.

Defra had been quick to rule out the potentially fatal H5 and H7 strains of the virus.

"It was a good outcome for the turkeys," a spokesperson said.

BBC News