Avian Influenza H5N1: latest
| This news story was last substantively updated on 6 December 2007. For later information please seeour Avian Influenza website pages. |
Update 11:10 6 December
Defra has today confirmed the intention to lift the Protection and Surveillance Zones put in place as part of control measures for the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Suffolk.
This is subject to there being no adverse changes in the disease situation. The intention is to lift zones on the following dates:
- The first Protection Zone is expected to lift, and become part of the wider Surveillance Zone, on 8 December;
- The second Protection Zone is expected to lift, and become part of the wider Surveillance Zone, on 10 December;
- The wider Surveillance Zone and Restricted Zone are expected to lift on 19 December.
The requirement to house birds within the Restricted Zone (but outside the Surveillance Zone) is also expected to lift on 10 December. Other restrictions on bird gatherings and movements of poultry and poultry meat within the zones will remain in place.
Update 12:15 29 November
The first epidemiology report into this H5N1 avian influenza outbreak has been published. No evidence has so far been found to indicate introduction via infected poultry or poultry products or vehicles/people transporting them, from countries which have undisclosed infection in their domestic turkey, geese and duck population. Wild birds cannot be ruled out as a source of infection; there is no evidence of H5N1 infection in the local wild bird population or in GB as a whole, but continued surveillance may help clarify the infection status of the wild bird population. Further surveillance, testing and epidemiological work on this outbreak is ongoing.
Further information: News Release
Update 12:45 23 November
The ban on bird gatherings, shows and pigeon racing has been lifted - except within the Restricted, Surveillance and Protection Zones in Suffolk and Norfolk (birds from those zones will not be able to be taken to gatherings in the rest of the country).
Bird gatherings in the rest of the country must take place under the normal biosecurity, notification and record-keeping requirements of a general licence (available on this website).
Further information: News release
Update 16:50 21 November
As part of the epidemiological investigation a decision has been taken today to declare a fifth premises as a Dangerous Contact. All poultry on this premises will be culled as a precautionary measure. These premises are within the existing Surveillance Zone and have been under restrictions and investigation since 15th November.
It remains essential all poultry keepers practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health office.
Further information: News release
Update 16:20 19 November
Laboratory test results have today confirmed H5N1 Avian Influenza in turkeys at one of the Dangerous Contact premises. These premises were confirmed as a Dangerous Contact, and culling was completed on 17th November. On clinical inspection the flock appeared healthy which indicates the infection was in its early stages. As a result of confirming disease this now becomes the second Infected Premises. A 3km radius Protection Zone is being placed around the premises on the Norfolk-Suffolk border and the existing Surveillance Zone is being extended.
Further information: News release
Update 10:10 18 November
Defra today confirmed the completion of culling operations on all four of the premises identified as Dangerous Contacts. The total number of poultry culled is approximately 28,600. This includes those culled at the Infected Premises.
Further information: News release
Update 18:00 15 November
Defra has today made available general licences to address immediate issues relating to the movement of bird by-products and mammals in the zones in place for Avian Influenza.
The national ban on bird gatherings and movement restrictions in the zones remain firmly in place. It is essential that poultry keepers are vigilant in checking their birds and report signs of notifiable disease immediately.
Also today, the decision has been taken to reclassify the cull at one of the four dangerous contacts premises identified yesterday to a slaughter on suspicion of Avian Influenza. Samples have been taken for laboratory testing.
A full epidemiological investigation is underway and all avenues into the origin of this outbreak are being investigated. Surveillance of poultry premises is underway, surveillance of wild birds has been increased in Norfolk and Suffolk and the national targeted wild bird surveillance programme is ongoing.
Further information: News release and Avian Influenza latest info page
Update 12:20 14 November
Following initial epidemiological work and veterinary assessment, four further premises have been identified as Dangerous Contacts, one in Suffolk and three in Norfolk. All poultry on these premises will be culled as a precautionary measure. These premises are within the existing Restricted Zone.
In addition, some general licences to address immediate welfare issues in the area covered by the zones are being issued today.
Further information: News release
Update 16:00 13 November
Following further test results from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that the strain of Avian Influenza present at the Infected Premises near Diss is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Further characterisation of the virus is in progress, which may give an indication of the origin of the strain.
Local authorities and Animal Health are enforcing a 3km Protection Zone, a 10km Surveillance Zone and a wider Restricted Zone covering the whole of Suffolk and most of Norfolk around the Infected Premises. In these zones, movement restrictions will be imposed and poultry must be isolated from wild birds. In addition, it has been announced that the national general licence on bird gatherings has been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.
A full epidemiological investigation and tracings of any dangerous contacts are underway and all possible sources of the outbreak will be investigated.
Further information: News release and statement to Parliament by Hilary Benn
Update: 21:45 12 November
Further restrictions are being put in place in a wider area surrounding the infected premises near Diss as a precautionary measure:
These measures are a precaution while the results of further laboratory tests and investigations into the outbreak are awaited.
Further information: Defra news release and Avian Flu latest info page
Position at 16:15 12 November
Defra has today confirmed Avian Influenza in turkeys on a premises near Diss on the Norfolk/Suffolk border after preliminary tests were positive for the H5 strain. The premises also contain ducks and geese. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered.
Full confirmation of results, including whether or not this is H5N1 and whether the strain is high or low pathogenic will follow.
A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone are being established around the Infected Premises. Inside these zones bird movements will be restricted and all birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds. We are also urgently considering with ornithological and other experts what wider measures may be needed.
All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register will be notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.
Further information: Defra news release
Further information
Page last modified:
6 December 2007 11:10
Page published: 12 November 2007 16:15