Chickens found dead on a Norfolk poultry farm have tested positive for bird flu. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the virus was detected after samples were taken from the business near Dereham. Around 35,000 birds on the farm will now be slaughtered.
A spokesman said further tests were being carried out to establish the strain of the virus.
Preliminary test results showed it was likely to be the H7 strain not H5N1, which is deadly to humans.
The spokesman said: "Further confirmatory tests are in progress to determine the pathogenicity."
The H7 strain can cause illness in humans, but is not as serious as H5N1.
It has been detected in North Korea and the Netherlands
A Defra spokesman said: "As a precautionary measure, birds on the premises will be slaughtered on suspicion of an avian notifiable disease.
"Restrictions have been placed on the farm. When the additional laboratory results are known further action may be taken."
The only case of H5N1 in Britain was discovered in a dead swan found in Fife, Scotland, last month.
Sylvia
They still claim that the virus found in Norfolk, isn't dangerous to humans - well, not until someone becomes ill that is!
Sylvia
marieann
I feel so sorry for anyone who's livelihood is taken from them through no fault of their own.
I am so frightened it comes to the wildfowl reserve near us. They have so many wild ducks, geese and swans. It would be devastating and we spend an awful lot of time there.
