Reserve tests for bird flu (From Gazette Series)

Reserve tests for bird flu

MIGRATORY birds are to be tested for bird flu at a popular Severnside nature reserve.

Experts started screening birds at The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge on Monday to make sure that they are not carrying the fatal strain of avian flu - HN51, which has so far struck in Turkey and Romania.

Experts have said the disease will inevitably strike the UK and could cause up to 50,000 deaths, although the immediate risk of the disease entering the British flock is at present considered to be low.

Experts at Slimbridge will carry out tests on birds coming into the nature reserve until December. It is expected that more than 2,000 birds will be screened.

Staff at the centre are confident that migratory birds are not carrying the deadly virus but say tests are needed to alleviate any doubt.

Dr Ruth Crombie, the trust's waterbird biology research manager, said: "We will be catching live birds and swabbing them to see weather they are carrying the disease.

"In total around 2,000 birds will be tested but not all of them will be tested at Slimbridge. It will be done at a couple of the trust's centres.

"At the present time we feel that the risk of bird flu being found is low, mainly because we don't know if it is in migratory birds. We are doing these tests as a prudent step just to make sure."

Across the country, samples will also be taken from dead birds shot legally by wildfowlers as part of their regular hunting activities and from birds that die in unusual circumstances.

Any member of the public who sees an unusually high number of dead birds over a short period of time is asked to call the DEFRA helpline on 08954 335577.