Suffolk bird flu is H5N1 strain

BBC News ^ | 11/13/07 | BBC

[Nextrush]

The type of bird flu found in turkeys on a Suffolk farm is the virulent H5N1 strain, according to government vets.

The virus was discovered at Redgrave Park Farm near Diss, where all 6,500 birds are being slaughtered.

A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been set up and the farm is co-operating with vets.......

[steve86]

Quite surprised to hear it was H5N1.

[Judith Anne]

Thanks for the ping.

[CholeraJoe]

Hmmmmmm. Britain is a real cesspool of zoonoses, isn’t it? BSE, Hoof and Mouth, Bird Flu. When I went to Ireland in September we had to walk across a carpet moistened with disinfectant on arrival, in case we had cow germs on our shoes.

[Judith Anne]

As I understand it, most large animal operations have disinfection required before entering buildings, etc. Think about it—a vet going from farm to farm could carry a bad bug to each one.

It’s common practice as I understand it, to disinfect every one, and vehicles too, if they go in and out where animals are kept.

[neverdem]

bump & a micro ping

[Smokin' Joe]

ping...(Thanks, neverdem!)

[Smokin' Joe]

ping...(Thanks, neverdem!)

[LucyT]

“It is of the Asian lineage. It is closely related to strains of the highly pathogenic avian influenza found this summer in the Czech Republic and in Germany.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2863449.ece

[LucyT]

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) — China has provided 23 bird flu strains to the World Health Organization (WHO) and publicized all these gene sequences, Vice Agriculture Minister Niu Dun said on Tuesday.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/13/content_7067412.htm

[blam]

BFL

[vetvetdoug]

You are correct. In large farrowing operations the vets even shower and wear disposable coveralls. I worked at a SPF facility that had barriers between the entry and the animals where we had to change clothes and disinfect.

[steve86]

We all be surprised if this mutates into the truly human form.

Well, maybe not alls of us

[Judith Anne]

Thanks for the confirmation. I can’t imagine leaving a vulnerable population of animals open to an infection that would rage through the whole place. Disinfection between locations (even within the same farm) would be the only way to prevent it. Someone with that much invested would likely be very conscientious.

[Domestic Church]

Not surprised at all here...

http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2007/10/european_bird_flu_an_open_book.php#comments

[VOA]

bump

[EBH]

Wow...I had no idea that disinfection was being employed on such a scale!

Learn something new everyday...uh?

[Judith Anne]

If I remember correctly, Gabz is one who lives nearby a large chicken farm. I first learned about how careful farms are with disinfecting visitors and workers from Gabz’s posts.

[Oorang]

Thanks much for the ping.