By Paul Robinson
TESTS were today being carried out on 14 dead birds found in Scotland amid mounting fears that the H5N1 flu strain could spread across the rest of the UK.
As reported in later editions of last night's Yorkshire Evening Post, sample
s taken from the carcass of a swan found in the Fife coastal village of Cellardyke tested positive for the virus strain yesterday.
It was the first case of H5N1 – which can prove deadly to humans – to be confirmed in a British wild bird.
Scientists later revealed that checks were being run on samples from 12 more swans – including two discovered dead in a Glasgow park – and two other birds.
Six dead swans in Moira, near Randalstown, Co Antrim, have also been reported to the authorities in Northern Ireland.
In an attempt to contain the outbreak in Cellardyke, nearly 1,000 square miles of Scotland was last night designated as a "wild bird risk area".
All 175 registered poultry farms in the zone were told to move their flocks indoors or take steps to stop chickens coming into contact with birds which could be infected.
Restrictions on the movement of poultry and eggs have also been put in place.
However, one of Britain's leading vets said it was likely the disease had already spread to seagulls and other wild birds in and around Cellardyke.
Dr Bob McCracken, former president of the British Veterinary Association, said: "We don't know which bird brought it to the shores of Fife but I find it very difficult to accept we could have a single bird in the UK infected with this virus and not to have passed it on to some other birds."
Meanwhile, there was continued criticism today of the time it took the authorities to complete the tests on the Cellardyke swan, which was removed from the village's harbour last Thursday.
Locals have also questioned why the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) waited more than 12 hours to come and remove the bird after it was reported to them.
Scotland's chief veterinary officer, Charles Milne, defended Defra's response, saying: "The procedures were followed fully and the timeline could not have been tighter."
paul.robinsons@ypn.co.uk
Opinion: Page 10
Q&A: It's a worldwide threat, but risks are still small
What is bird flu?
Like other species, birds catch flu. Bird flu is contagious and can affect all types of birds.
What early symptoms does it produce in domestic poultry?
Swollen heads, a drop in egg production and a loss of appetite.
How quickly can it spread?
Avian flu can kill all infected birds in a flock within 48 hours.
Am I in danger?
Certain strains can pass directly from birds to humans. The H5N1 type can lead to severe illness, multiple organ failure or death.
How could I catch H5N1?
People have only contracted it from being in very close contact with an infected bird – touching its beak or plucking its feathers.
What are the symptoms in humans?
The same as human flu, and can cause eye infections, pneumonia and respiratory problems.
Which countries have been hit?
There have been over 100 bird flu deaths. Affected countries are China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Scientists say UK risk is "very low".
How can it be treated?
No vaccine has been developed. Antiviral drugs are regarded as the best way to at least limit the symptoms. The Government has ordered 14.6 million courses of Tamiflu.
Can the virus be passed on through eating poultry or eggs?
There is no evidence that bird flu can be caught from eating cooked food. Raw eggs, however, could pose a risk.
Should I keep my cats and dogs indoors?
People do not need to bring their pets inside, but experts say it is always sensible to stop animals eating dead birds.
Should UK vaccinate chickens like other European countries?
There are worries that vaccination could hide the virus's presence in flocks, as happened in France and the Netherlands .
What if I see a dead bird?
Do not touch it. Ring Defra on 08459 335577. Anyone seeing a dead swan, duck or goose or three dead birds together should take swift action.
What is the risk of a human flu pandemic?
Although H5N1 can infect humans, it poses little large-scale threat because it rarely passes from person to person. A pandemic could take hold, if the virus mutates into a form easily transmissible between people.
How many people could be affected by such a pandemic?
It is feared that up to 50 million people, including as many as 50,000 in the UK, could die. In the pandemics of 1918, 1956 and 1968, a quarter of the world's population fell ill.
