Suffolk: Bird flu scare at Bernard Matthews poultry farm
By Tom Potter
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
9:34 AM
Animal health scientists are awaiting further tests after initial results came back negative for the H5 and H7 strains of avian influenza (AI) - both considered a potential threat to humans - at a Bernard Matthews farm.
Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) would not confirm where the tests had been carried out but said experts were called after a bird displayed respiratory problems.
They warned poultry keepers to stay vigilant and report any concerns to the animal health agency or to a vet.
A Defra spokeswoman said that both strains had the potential to be “highly pathogenic” but that tests had so far returned negative results.
Meanwhile, activities at the plant have been restricted as a precaution while further tests are completed.
A spokesperson for Bernard Matthews said: “We can confirm that some of our birds at one of our farms showed signs of ill health over the weekend. We felt it appropriate to report this to DEFRA. They have detected the presence of an avian influenza virus, but not the virulent H5 or H7 form. Some restrictions are in place as a precaution, but are expected to be lifted in the next few days.”
EADT24
By Tom Potter
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
9:34 AM
Animal health scientists are awaiting further tests after initial results came back negative for the H5 and H7 strains of avian influenza (AI) - both considered a potential threat to humans - at a Bernard Matthews farm.
Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) would not confirm where the tests had been carried out but said experts were called after a bird displayed respiratory problems.
They warned poultry keepers to stay vigilant and report any concerns to the animal health agency or to a vet.
A Defra spokeswoman said that both strains had the potential to be “highly pathogenic” but that tests had so far returned negative results.
Meanwhile, activities at the plant have been restricted as a precaution while further tests are completed.
A spokesperson for Bernard Matthews said: “We can confirm that some of our birds at one of our farms showed signs of ill health over the weekend. We felt it appropriate to report this to DEFRA. They have detected the presence of an avian influenza virus, but not the virulent H5 or H7 form. Some restrictions are in place as a precaution, but are expected to be lifted in the next few days.”
EADT24
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