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http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...517468,00.html

Bird Flu Found In Scotland
Updated: 22:23, Wednesday April 05, 2006



A strain of bird flu has been found in a dead swan in Scotland, health officials have said.

A statement from the Scottish Executive said tests had found "highly pathogenic H5 avian flu" in a sample from a swan found dead in the Cellardyke area of Fife.

However, it is too early to know if the bird has fallen victim to the deadly H5N1 strain.

The statement said: "The exact strain of the virus is not yet known, tests are continuing and a further result is expected tomorrow.

"In accordance with a recent EU decision the Scottish Executive is putting in place a protection zone of a minimum of 3km radius and a surveillance zone of 10km."

Keepers of birds inside the protection zone must take them indoors where they can to prevent them coming into contact with wild birds.

The movement of poultry, eggs and related products from the area is now being restricted and if the disease is confirmed as H5N1 further controls may be put in place.

The Executive's statement added: "There is no reason for public health concern.

"Avian influenza is a disease of birds and whilst it can pass very rarely and with difficulty to humans this requires extremely close contact with infected birds."

Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland Charles Milne said that although the disease was yet to be confirmed, the find was "an important development".

Exercise Hawthorn, the UK's dummy run for a bird flu outbreak which was underway when the swan was found, has been ended early.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than 100 people worldwide.

Experts fear that if it mutates into a form transmissible between people it could kill millions worldwide.