Bird flu confirmed in dead swan (in Scotland, UK)

[Taxloss]

Preliminary tests have confirmed the H5 avian flu virus in a sample from a swan found dead in north east Fife, health officials have revealed.

The exact virus strain is not known, but tests were continuing and further results were expected on Thursday.

The Scottish Executive said the area around Cellardyke, north of Anstruther, was being sealed off.

If the disease is confirmed as the deadly H5N1 strain there may be further restrictions put in place.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4881526.stm

It's heeeeeeere ...

[Greeby]

1. ulp

:yoiks:

[Taxloss]

2. Isn't Fife sweetheart's neck of the woods? n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. No, she's in Sutherland, or maybe Caithness

North coast, at any rate. North East Fife is, however, Ming the Merciless' constituency - I feel a cartoon or two is inevitable - sick Lib Dem birds and all that.

[Taxloss]

5. Yes, that's a gift for the cartoonists.

And wags in the Commons.

[baby_mouse]

4. a fair bit further up, Taxloss.

I, however, am only across the Forth in Eedibugger.

Damn.

I've been checking the swan-infested Duddingston lake on the way to work for some time now, looking quickly as I drive past for swans that look like they've been ducking for weed for just that bit too long but never saw one...

Um.

[Taxloss]

6. Well, best of luck against the old Quack Death.

I took a walk through the waterfowl-infested St James's Park in London today, and am please to report that the feathered chappies all seemed in robust health.

[baby_mouse]

7. Pretty they are to be sure...

But I can't say I'll necessarily miss all of these public nuisances. They hiss at smaller, nicer birds and frighten them off. Personally I prefer ducks. ;-)

[BooScout]

8. Should I get my survival gear out yet?

I did hear this morning that they were stopping poultry trucks from leaving the area....Dang and I wanted roast chicken for dinner too.

[Nihil]

9. Fine ...

... as long as you eat it and don't inhale it!

:hi:

[BooScout]

10. OOOOOPS...

*picking chicken bones out of my nose*:evilgrin:

Maybe I'll just have lamb tonight.:think:

[Taxloss]

11. Confirmed - it's H5N1

A swan found dead in Scotland has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.

The Scottish Executive has extended surveillance zones in Scotland to include 175 properties with 3.1 million birds, as well as free-range poultry.

The dead mute swan was found in Cellardyke, Fife, eight days ago. Fourteen other birds are being tested.

The H5N1 virus does not currently pose a large-scale threat to humans as it cannot pass easily between people.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4882946.stm