AN OUTBREAK of bird flu has been discovered at a farm in Hampshire.

Health experts confirmed traces of the virus at a farm at Upham near Bishop’s Waltham yesterday.

A 1km restriction zone has been set up around the farm, but officials have stressed that it poses a very low risk to human health.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that tests confirmed an outbreak of the H7 strain of avian flu at the site in Upham. Chickens at the commercial farm, which has not yet been identified, will now be culled, while health experts will continue their investigation.

Defra has said that there is no link between the discovery in Hampshire and an outbreak of the more severe H5N8 strain found on a duck farm in Yorkshire in November.

Chief vet Nigel Gibbens said: “We have taken immediate action to contain this outbreak.

“This is a low severity form of the virus and we are taking action to ensure that the disease does not spread or develop into a more severe form.

“We are investigating the possible sources of the outbreak.

“I would urge poultry keepers in the surrounding area to be vigilant for any signs of disease and to ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.”

Nick Phin, director of the Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, said that the risk to human health is considered “very low”, while a spokesman for the Food Standards Agency said: “On the basis of current scientific evidence, Food Standards Agency advice is that avian (bird) flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

“Laboratory investigations on the outbreak indicate that it is the N7 sub-type of H7 but this will need to be confirmed in further testing.”

Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery said that the news was “obviously very concerning”, adding that he had been liaising with Public Health England, the county council and Defra about developments.

He added: “It appears that all precautions have taken place to ensure this problem is dealt with effectively.

“Most importantly, I have been told that presently any danger to the public is very low and this is very welcome news.

“However, there is no doubt the authorities are taking it very seriously and regular updates will be issued in due course.”

A spokesman for the county council said that signs have been put up around the site, while road closures are in place and footpaths in the restricted zone have been closed.

WHAT IS BIRD FLU?

BIRD FLU, or avian influenza, is an
infectious virus that spreads
among birds and can affect
humans in rare cases.

Two types – the H5N1 and H7N9
viruses – have led to a number of
deaths around the world, while
others such as the H7N7 and
H9N2 strains have led to
infections but not serious illness.

Bird flu can affect many types of
birds, including chickens, ducks
and turkeys, but they do not
always get sick from the illness,
meaning that seemingly-healthy
animals can pass it on to humans.
The illness can lead to common
flu symptoms including a headache,
cough, runny nose, aching
muscles and high temperature.

Other symptoms can include
diarrhoea, vomiting, chest pain
and bleeding from nose and gums,
while potentially-fatal conditions
such as multiple organ failure or
acute respiratory distress
syndrome could develop.

NHS Choices says it is extremely
unlikely that you would have bird
flu unless you have been in close
contact with birds in an area
where outbreaks have been
confirmed.

To date there have been no
cases of human infection within
the UK.

Anyone who suspects that they
are infected should contact the
Animal and Plant Health Agency
on 01284 778150.