it is likely that other wild birds in the UK also have contracted the virus

The bird flu virus has reared its ugly head in the United Kingdom again and this time it has been found in birds located near Chesil Beach in Dorset. The infected birds were swans living in a sanctuary called the Abbotsbury Swannery. Samples from the birds were taken to a nearby laboratory and tested positive for the H5N1 strain of the bird flu.

At present the government is taking action by inspecting all farms and commercial poultry establishments in the area and taking random samples from birds there. They have also asked the public to be extremely vigilant and report any signs of bird flu in the area. In the Abbotsbury Swannery there are estimated to be around 600 swans and at present they have not been culled. Only three swans so far have been infected by the bird flu virus and it is hoped that the outbreak can be contained.In line with correct procedure the staff at the Abbotsbury Swannery have been monitored for signs of the virus and are being given a course of Tamiflu just to be on the safe side. The chances of them actually being infected by the virus are very low but as the virus is so dangerous in humans it is better to play it safe.

Bird flu experts said that as the swans did not migrate from the Abbotsbury Swannery they must have picked up the virus from a passing wild bird which had the disease. This means that it is likely that other wild birds in the UK also have contracted the virus and as so farmers and people involved in the poultry business must be extremely vigilant for any signs of the disease where they work.

Gordon Brown said that the government was doing everything that they could to prevent the virus from spreading and tried to reassure the public by saying that special protective zones had been set up around the contaminated area.