Second H5N1 case found in turkeys
The farm was one of four where culls were taking place because of fears of “dangerous contact” with the initial case at Redgrave Park Farm, discovered last week.
All 9,000 turkeys have already been slaughtered at the new infected premises, which is operated by the same company as the site of the first outbreak.
The site of the new infection, Hill Meadow Farm, Knettishall, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, is outside the original 3km protection zone set up around Redgrave Park farm, but inside the wider restricted area which covers Suffolk and much of Norfolk.
The premises were identified as having “dangerous contact” with the initial outbreak last week because staff for Redgrave Poultry, the operator of all five sites where culls have taken place, moved between the farms.
Defra said the birds appeared healthy when they were first inspected, but a precautionary cull was completed on Saturday.
Acting chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg said: “The laboratory test results highlight the importance of poultry keepers in the area being extremely vigilant.
“It is essential they practise the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local animal health office.”
A new 3km protection zone has been set up around the farm, and an extended surveillance zone which surrounds both sites has also been established.
See First bird-flu vaccine ok’d for humans
h5n1 bird flu
November 20th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Yikes. That’s scary. Are there precautions we can take, aside from skipping the bird this year?