The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Christianne Glossop, has confirmed

a case of avian influenza in birds in North Wales. The strain identified is H7N2

low pathogenic avian influenza. The strain is different to the highly pathogenic

H5N1 strain currently circulating in South East Asia, and in Europe last year.

GB and Wales contingency plans have been activated and the UK Chief

Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds, has formally confirmed the presence of

the virus in the UK. In line with this, the farm has been placed under

restriction and a 1km restriction zone has been placed around the infected

premises. Within this zone, birds and bird products cannot be moved, bird

gatherings can only take place under licence from Animal Health, we are

advising poultry keepers to observe strict biosecurity measures.

The 30 remaining birds on the farm are being slaughtered today.

The source of infection is being investigated.

We would like to remind poultry keepers to report any suspicious signs of a

notifiable avian disease to their local Animal Health Divisional Office. These

numbers are below.

Members of the National Poultry Register will receive updates by text.

Avian influenza is a disease of birds. It is very rare for humans to become

infected and even then it is normally associated with close contact with

infected birds. The risk to the health of the general public is very low.

Routine tests are being carried out on people who work on the farm and

anybody else who has been in close contact.

The small number of people who have potentially come into contact is very

low. There are no on-going risks to the public but if people have concerns

NHS Direct is always available for general health advice. The NHS Direct

number is 0845 46 47.

Animal Health Divisional Office numbers:

Cardiff 029 20768500

Caernarfon 01286 674144

Carmarthen 01267 245400

All avian influenzas (H1 to H16) can be low pathogenic but only H5 and H7

have been shown to have the potential to become highly pathogenic.

T

he 1km zone restricts the movement of poultry, poultry products and eggs,

additional biosecurity measures must be taken and gatherings can only take

place under licence from Animal Health.

Poultry keepers within the zone will not be asked to house their birds,

however good biosecurity measures are encouraged.

The Food Standards Agency advises that avian flu does not pose a food

safety risk for UK consumers. The risk of people getting avian influenza from

eating poultry meat and eggs is low. Further information is available on the