Bird Flu Restrictions Lifted

With no further cases of the H5N1 strain of bird flu found since the swan in Fife, restrictions are gradually being lifted.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) have issued the following statement:

"With no further cases of high pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) having been found, the Wild Bird Protection Zone in Scotland was lifted on 22 April 2006. The Protection Zone was put in place on 5 April, following confirmation of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in a Whooper swan in Cellardyke harbour. This is 21 days after samples were taken from the wild swan. The Wild Bird Protection Zone now becomes part of the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone."

Members of the public are being urged to continue to report any findings of dead birds to the DEFRA Helpline: 08459 335577.

The news of a potential new case of bird flu in Norfolk last week sparked new concerns, however it was quickly downplayed when it was discovered as being the H7 strain of bird flu, which is not highly infectious and only causes a mild disease.

If you have any suspicions of a bird flu case, an Attack Pest Control technician would be happy to offer you advice and information on what to do.