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Avian Influenza in wild swans in Dorset

Update: 17:00, 1 February

Defra has today confirmed that another two dead wild mute swans, collected on 28 January as part of wild bird surveillance in the same area in Dorset have tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza. 

This brings the total number of swans confirmed with H5N1 on the site to nine. From today, any further new cases will be published on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/avianflu. Further cases in the coming weeks would not be unexpected. 

For more information, see the news release.

Update: 16:30, 30 January

Defra has today confirmed that a seventh mute swan collected on 24 January as part of wild bird surveillance in the same area in Dorset has tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza. This is not unexpected, and our enhanced surveillance of wild birds in the area is continuing including active patrols to look for dead wild birds.

For more information, see the news release.

Update: 14:30, 30 January

Defra has today published an epidemiology report into the H5N1 avian influenza case in wild birds in Dorset.

While it has not been possible to conclusively identify the source of the infection, the most likely hypothesis is that it was introduced by an infected migratory wild bird. It has also been established that the strain of the virus is similar to those isolated in continental Europe in the latter part of 2007.

For more information, see the news release.

Position at 26 January

Following confirmation of the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 Avian Influenza in wild mute swans in the Chesil Beach area in Dorset on 10 January, following routine surveillance testing, a 3km Control Area and a 10km Monitoring Area were established.

Inside these areas bird movements are restricted, bird gatherings are banned, and bird keepers are required to house their birds or otherwise isolate them from contact with wild birds.

As of 3pm on 25 January, the restrictions on the movement of poultry or other captive birds in the Wild Bird Monitoring Area fell, and such movements no longer require a licence. Legislation provides for this 15 days after the Area restrictions were declared.  Such restrictions in the Wild Bird Control Area remain in place.

There is currently no evidence to suggest widespread disease in the wild bird population, but poultry keepers in the area are reminded to remain vigilant and report any signs of disease immediately.  There remains no evidence of disease in domestic birds. Live swans were sampled in the swannery and all results are negative. Our enhanced surveillance of wild birds in the area is continuing, including the increased active patrols to look for dead wild birds. We expect to publish the results of ongoing epidemiological investigations shortly.

Further information

Page last modified: 1 February 2008 17:00
Page published: 24 January 2008