Two More Farms Have Bird Flu In England H7N3 Strain

Two more farms, both close to the Norfolk farm that was infected with the H7N3 bird flu strain a few days ago, have also become infected with what looks like the same strain. Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) stated that initial test results indicated the H7N3 bird flu virus strain had infected the chickens. Further lab tests should confirm this within days.


Although H7N3 is dangerous for chickens, it is nowhere near as virulent for humans as H5N1 is. Authorities are assuring the British public that this strain is a very low risk to humans.


Both infected flocks were free-range chickens. This means they roam around in fields, not under cover. Both flocks will be slaughtered. A restricted zone has been put in place extending one kilometre from each of the infected premises.


A Defra spokesman said "The State Veterinary Service is tracing movements and contacts, the necessary surveillance and all appropriate worker protection measures have been put in place."


Authorities are also trying to find out what contact, if any, there has been between the three infected farms.


A worker at the farm that was infected a few days ago was also infected with the H7N3 strain. He had conjunctivitis and did not need hospitalisation.


Free-range chickens are more vulnerable to infection from wild birds than battery chickens. In the United Kingdom free-range poultry and eggs have become more popular. If there are infected wild birds flying around, the risk for free-range poultry is greater as these wild birds can swoop down, feed among the chickens and infect them.


There are no indications that infected wild birds exist in the UK at the moment. An H5N1 infected swan, found in Scotland last month, most probably floated in (dead) from abroad. No other infected wild birds have been found since then. However, the H7N3 infection in these three Norfolk farms must have come from somewhere.


Free range chickens = Chickens that live in fields.

Battery chickens = Chickens that live indoors, usually in huge numbers, in tiny cages.

Virulent = Powerful, potent


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