Weather could bring infected birds here

THE weather in continental Europe over the next few weeks will affect the chances of migratory birds bringing the H5N1 virus into Britain and Ireland, an expert said yesterday.

Mute swans found dead in Germany would not have posed any direct threat to Britain as they do not migrate that far.

However, there is a risk that ducks and geese could come into contact with an infected birds in frozen central Europe before heading to Britain and Ireland in search of food and water. If the continental winter eases, then birds will not need to fly west.