A dead Mute swan found in the Cellardyke harbor near the Scottish coastal town of Fife was determined to have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza. This is the first case of the highly pathogenic strain of influenza in Great Britain and brings to 14 the number of European Union countries having diagnosed the disease.
British officials have instituted control measures including establishing a 3-km protection zone around the location where the partially eaten swan was found and an additional 10-km surveillance zone. They have advised residents with birds inside the protection zone to house them indoors until further notice.
[Ed. There was a case of H5N1 avian influenza diagnosed in an imported parrot held in a quarantine facility in Great Britain previously.]
Source:
ProMED-mail