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More tests on poultry flock
13 May 2006 11:32
Government scientists are carrying out a second round of tests at a smallholding outside Dereham to rule out bird flu infection.
Animal health experts from Defra returned to the premises in Paper Street in Yaxham on Tuesday after earlier tests on about 160 birds for the H7N3 virus proved inconclusive.
The department previously visited the smallholding on Sunday as part of routine tests on poultry keepers within the recently extended 3km surveillance zone, which was set up around the three infected North Tuddenham farms.
Smallholding owner Chris Garner did not want to comment on the tests on the mix of chickens, geese and guinea fowl, which are kept for friends and family.
A Defra spokesman said: "Both visits are purely routine and part of continuing surveillance work to make sure the area is clear of the virus.
"Some of the tests carried out during the visit on Sunday were inconclusive in that they were neither negative nor positive.
"They had to return to redo the tests but this is something which happens quite often when a large number of birds are tested."
Regional member of the National Farmer's Union poultry board Nigel Joice said he was pleased with Defra's attempts to pin down the source of the infection by tracking movements of and testing poultry but said it was slight concern that there was still no strong leads.
This week local Conservative MEP Geoffrey Van Orden visited the State Veterinary Service at Bury St Edmunds where the Local Disease Control Centre has been established.
He said: "Clearly the problem in the Dereham area has been dealt with very professionally and the necessary surveillance and protective measures have been put in place."
13 May 2006 11:32
Government scientists are carrying out a second round of tests at a smallholding outside Dereham to rule out bird flu infection.
Animal health experts from Defra returned to the premises in Paper Street in Yaxham on Tuesday after earlier tests on about 160 birds for the H7N3 virus proved inconclusive.
The department previously visited the smallholding on Sunday as part of routine tests on poultry keepers within the recently extended 3km surveillance zone, which was set up around the three infected North Tuddenham farms.
Smallholding owner Chris Garner did not want to comment on the tests on the mix of chickens, geese and guinea fowl, which are kept for friends and family.
A Defra spokesman said: "Both visits are purely routine and part of continuing surveillance work to make sure the area is clear of the virus.
"Some of the tests carried out during the visit on Sunday were inconclusive in that they were neither negative nor positive.
"They had to return to redo the tests but this is something which happens quite often when a large number of birds are tested."
Regional member of the National Farmer's Union poultry board Nigel Joice said he was pleased with Defra's attempts to pin down the source of the infection by tracking movements of and testing poultry but said it was slight concern that there was still no strong leads.
This week local Conservative MEP Geoffrey Van Orden visited the State Veterinary Service at Bury St Edmunds where the Local Disease Control Centre has been established.
He said: "Clearly the problem in the Dereham area has been dealt with very professionally and the necessary surveillance and protective measures have been put in place."
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