H7 Bird Flu In UK Farm, 35,000 Chickens To Be Culled

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 27 Apr 2006 - 9:00 PDT

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Dead chickens have been found at a farm in Norfolk, England. Veterinary experts say they most probably died of H7 bird flu strain. This strain is deadly for chickens, but nowhere near as dangerous for humans - as is the H5N1 strain. 35,000 chickens at the farm are to be slaughtered.

The farm is located 13 miles west of Norwich, in North Tuddenham. The farm produces eggs which hatch in other farms. There is a 1 kilometre exclusion zone around the farm.

Authorities have no idea where this flu had come from.

In 2003, an H7 bird flu outbreak in Holland led to the slaughter of over 30 million birds. 80 people became infected and one veterinarian died.

When test results come back veterinarians will know whether this strain is dangerous or not for chickens.

H7 has been around for many years. It can be a threat to chickens. It is not a public threat to humans.

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

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