First bird flu outbreak this winter confirmed in Britain

Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-13 05:59:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan
Video PlayerClose

LONDON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Bird flu has been detected in 17 wild birds in Dorset county, the first outbreak in Britain this winter, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed Friday.

"This is the first confirmed finding of the virus in the UK this winter and tests have shown it is closely related to the H5N6 strain that has been circulating in wild birds across Europe in recent months," said Defra, adding more cases are expected over the coming days.

The British Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for consumers.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, said: "While the disease does not represent a threat to the public, it is highly infectious and deadly to birds. It is vital that anyone who keeps birds -- whether a few in a back garden or thousands on a farm -- is vigilant for any signs of disease, reports suspect disease and maintains good biosecurity to reduce the risk of their birds becoming infected."

Gibbens said measures will be introduced to help manage the potential threat.

A local "avian influenza prevention zone" will be introduced in the area of Dorset where the diseased birds were found, which means it will be mandatory for all captive bird keepers to put enhanced biosecurity measures in place.

Defra said there are no plans to carry out any culls or put movement restrictions.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
国产无码在线观看免费在线,37pao国产成视频,日韩一区二区视频在线,国产国产人免费人成免费视频麻豆
亚洲人成伊人成综合网久久久 | 亚洲综合在线另类色区奇米97 | 亚洲青春草原在线 | 久久亚洲精精品中文字幕 | 伊人久久大香线蕉综合不卡 | 亚洲国产日韩欧美在线 |