January 11, 2008

EU: Precautionary measures in Dorset after bird flu outbreak
 

The European Union Thursday said precautionary measures were being put into place in Dorset in the UK after the highly pathogenic H5N1 form of bird flu was confirmed in three wild swans.

The measures include control and monitoring the area, with tougher security measures and heavy restrictions on moving poultry except to slaughter-houses.

Similar measures were taken last month in Brandenburg, a German city north of Berlin, after an H5N1 outbreak.

Global health officials worry the H5N1 virus that is currently circulating could eventually mutate into a strain that could pass easily from person to person, which could spark a human pandemic.