UK sees further bird flu outbreak

A low pathogenic form of avian influenza has been discovered in chickens at a farm in Hampshire, UK.

It follows an outbreak of the highly pathogenic strain H5N8 on a Yorkshire duck farm in November.

This latest case has been confirmed as a low severity H7 strain of the bird flu, and officials from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, have said there are no links between the two cases.

Restrictions on the movement of poultry has been imposed on a 1km area surrounding the farm for commercial chicken breeding.

Nigel Gibbons, chief vet, said: "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."

A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency, said: "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."