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WORLD / Europe |
Britain confirms positive H5N1 for another swan(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-17 09:35 LONDON -- Britain confirmed on Wednesday that another mute swan has tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza following confirmation on January 10 of bird flu virus in three swans in Dorset, southern England. The swan was collected on January 11 as part of wild bird surveillance from the same area, and has tested H5N1 positive, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in a statement. There is currently no evidence to suggest widespread disease in the wild bird population, but enhanced surveillance is taking place and poultry keepers in the area are reminded to remain vigilant and report any signs of disease immediately, the department said. There is no evidence of disease in domestic birds, it said. The Control Area and the Monitoring Area have been established since the first confirmation of the disease. Within the zones, bird movements are restricted. Avian Influenza is a disease of birds. While it can pass very rarely and with difficulty to humans, this usually requires extremely close contact with infected birds, particularly faces. Advice from the Food Standards Agency remains that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. |
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