Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Special Reports
Avian flu: UK special report
06/02/2007 10:07:00
FWi
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/02/06/101431/avian-flu-uk-special-report.html
Avian flu: UK special report
06/02/2007 10:07:00
FWi
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/02/06/101431/avian-flu-uk-special-report.html
The latest UK case of the H5N1 strain of avian flu (also known as bird flu) has been confirmed on a Bernard Matthews farm near Holton in Suffolk (see map).
Below is a list of the latest FWi headlines as the story develops, plus advice on what it means for farmers and the general public.
You can also find more in-depth information and advice about avian flu in the UK and across Europe in FWi?s Avian Flu special global report or our top biosecurity tips to help keep the virus out of flocks.
Latest headlines
DEFRA secretary David Miliband has defended the poultry industry's handling of the H5N1 avian flu outbreak amid growing criticism of the delayed response (5 February)
Retailers report no drop in poultry sales
According to the NFU, consumers appear to be backing British poultry despite the avian flu outbreak (5 February)
Investigations continue into H5N1 outbreak on a farm in Suffolk
Investigations are underway by DEFRA to establish how turkeys on a farm in Suffolk came to be infected with the H5N1 strain of avian flu (5 February, 2007)
More avian flu news...
What area is affected by the restriction zone?
Below is a map of the area affected, showing the 3km protection zone, 10km surveillance zone and total restricted area.
What do the zones mean?
- Protection zone
- Housing or isolation of poultry and other captive birds
- Movement restrictions on poultry, other captive birds, mammals, eggs, poultry meat, carcases and poultry waste except where licensed
- Biosecurity measures for people, premises and vehicles
- A ban on bird gatherings
- A ban on the release of game birds
- Surveillance zone
- Similar to those in the PZ but slightly less restrictive
- The SZ must be in place for at least 30 days after the preliminary cleansing and disinfection of the infected premises
- The duration of the PZ and SZ will take account of surveillance in the area showing that there is no disease present
- Restricted zone
- An RZ may be declared covering the whole or part of Great Britain
- Movements of poultry and eggs would be subject to licence
- The RZ is likely to reduce in size as the extent of disease spread becomes clear
- The duration of the RZ will be based on a risk assessment
What does bird flu mean for farmers and the public?
Click here for general information on the H5N1 strain of bird flu, including what the signs of the virus are, how you can catch it and what you can do to maximise biosecurity.
The outbreak of avian flu threatens to have serious consequences for one of the biggest turkey manufacturers in the UK. Poultry World editor Richard Allison fears the Bernard Matthews ?bootiful? brand could suffer long-term damage.
Further information:
- Find out more about the Bernard Matthews company
- FWi biosecurity advice - best practice tips for hygiene, visitors and more
- Latest DEFRA advice on avian flu, including how to identify the clinical signs, transmission and disease control.
- Bernard Matthews - information on what the avian flu outbreak means for consumers and how the company's products are affected.
- Health & Safety Executive advice on working with poultry that is/ is not suspected of having avian influenza
- Department of Health advice on the risks to humans from bird flu