Borough falls in bird flu safety zone
08 February 2007
AS efforts continued this week to contain an outbreak of a deadly strain of bird flu on a Suffolk Farm, people living and working in the borough of Great Yarmouth were urged to report sightings of any dead birds.
The H5 N1 strain of bird flu was discovered at a Bernard Matthews' farm in Holton, near Halesworth, last Thursday by officials from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
And to prevent the outbreak spreading further, three safety zones blanketing an 800-mile area of Norfolk and Suffolk were introduced. Yarmouth and surrounding areas are included in the restricted zone which runs up to Acle along the A47 and up to Norwich.
Letters signed by Yarmouth borough council's chief executive Richard Packham have been sent out to residents who live in the restricted area informing them of the situation. In addition road signs informing people that they are entering a restricted area have been erected.
Speaking at a Norfolk County Council Area Committee meeting for Yarmouth, the borough's head of environmental health, John Hemsworth, said: ?Although the outbreak is confined to North Suffolk, Defra has introduced three zones which include a 3km protection zone, a 10km surveillance zone, which are both confined to Suffolk. But a wider restriction zone covers Norfolk and includes Yarmouth and areas that border onto the A47.
?Any poultry in this restricted zone, including their food and water supplies, should be kept isolated from wild birds. Any movement of poultry has to be done under licence and so far no licences have been issued in the Yarmouth area.
?Anyone who sees a dead bird should report it to Defra. At this stage Defra is only interested in reports of large birds such as swans and geese. The Food Standards Agency has said there is no risk from consuming poultry products providing it is cooked properly. It seems that the outbreak has been confined but lots of people have got their fingers crossed.
?It still not known what caused the outbreak however these investigations do take time.?
Although the outbreak was limited to about 2,500 turkeys, more than 160,000 had been culled by Monday night as a precautionary measure.
?Because this outbreak happened at a Bernard Matthews plant - and the nature of it being a large company with a contingency plan in place - the outbreak was dealt with very quickly,? said Mr Hemsworth.
He added that anyone wanting more information about the outbreak and current advice could visit the county council's website at www.norfolk.gov.uk.
Anyone who sees a dead large bird should report it to Defra by calling 08459 335577.
08 February 2007
AS efforts continued this week to contain an outbreak of a deadly strain of bird flu on a Suffolk Farm, people living and working in the borough of Great Yarmouth were urged to report sightings of any dead birds.
The H5 N1 strain of bird flu was discovered at a Bernard Matthews' farm in Holton, near Halesworth, last Thursday by officials from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
And to prevent the outbreak spreading further, three safety zones blanketing an 800-mile area of Norfolk and Suffolk were introduced. Yarmouth and surrounding areas are included in the restricted zone which runs up to Acle along the A47 and up to Norwich.
Letters signed by Yarmouth borough council's chief executive Richard Packham have been sent out to residents who live in the restricted area informing them of the situation. In addition road signs informing people that they are entering a restricted area have been erected.
Speaking at a Norfolk County Council Area Committee meeting for Yarmouth, the borough's head of environmental health, John Hemsworth, said: ?Although the outbreak is confined to North Suffolk, Defra has introduced three zones which include a 3km protection zone, a 10km surveillance zone, which are both confined to Suffolk. But a wider restriction zone covers Norfolk and includes Yarmouth and areas that border onto the A47.
?Any poultry in this restricted zone, including their food and water supplies, should be kept isolated from wild birds. Any movement of poultry has to be done under licence and so far no licences have been issued in the Yarmouth area.
?Anyone who sees a dead bird should report it to Defra. At this stage Defra is only interested in reports of large birds such as swans and geese. The Food Standards Agency has said there is no risk from consuming poultry products providing it is cooked properly. It seems that the outbreak has been confined but lots of people have got their fingers crossed.
?It still not known what caused the outbreak however these investigations do take time.?
Although the outbreak was limited to about 2,500 turkeys, more than 160,000 had been culled by Monday night as a precautionary measure.
?Because this outbreak happened at a Bernard Matthews plant - and the nature of it being a large company with a contingency plan in place - the outbreak was dealt with very quickly,? said Mr Hemsworth.
He added that anyone wanting more information about the outbreak and current advice could visit the county council's website at www.norfolk.gov.uk.
Anyone who sees a dead large bird should report it to Defra by calling 08459 335577.
