Tests Confirm Scottish Swan Died Of H5N1 Bird Flu Strain

Featured Article
Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary;  Public Health
Article Date: 06 Apr 2006 - 15:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Tests have confirmed that a partially decomposed swan, found in Fife, Scotland, was infected with the virulent H5N1 avian flu strain. The United Kingdom is now the 14th country in Europe to have confirmed H5N1 infection within its borders.

There are various types and strains of bird flu. The H5N1 has killed hundreds of millions of birds since 2003 as well as 108 people. Most of the human deaths have taken place in Asia.

Experts in Scotland were somewhat disconcerted by the fact that the dead bird, a Mute Swan, is a native non-migratory bird. It did not fly in from abroad. This means another bird(s) came and infected it. This raises the probability that there may be another (other) bird(s) carrying the infection in the UK.

The Scottish Executive has implemented a 3km Exclusion Zone as well as a 10km Surveillance Zone around the area where the swan was found. Checkpoints are scattered around the area making sure all people and vehicles do not carry poultry, poultry products and eggs in and out.

It is believed the swan was reported last Wednesday. Scientists have not yet said how long it may have been lying there dead until it was discovered.

A Scottish Executive said "We have been preparing for this for months and the key thing is to update everyone and ensure the plan is being implemented. Ministers on the civil contingencies group will be on standby for further meetings to discuss and review how our plans will be taken forward here in Scotland."

British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said "The Scottish Executive and ourselves will take the measures that are appropriate as indeed has been done cordoning off of the area and we will act accordingly to the advice that we get. I do just emphasise one thing. It is very important that people understand this. This is not a human-to-human virus, it is something that is transmitted to poultry. It is only if humans are in direct and very intensive contact with poultry that there is any risk involved."

The nine poultry farms within a 10km radius of where the infected swan was found are keeping all their livestock indoors. The rest of the UK is getting ready to do the same.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

• Additional
• References
• Citations