Villagers shocked at bird-flu case

There was little sign of anything untoward in the small Fife coastal village where the dead swan with H5 bird flu was found.

Some locals in Cellardyke, which lies nine miles south of St Andrews, worryingly claimed the dead bird had been washed up in the small harbour for a number of days.

The first they heard of the connection with bird flu was on last night’s news, they said.

Scott Forsyth, a 36-year-old gardener whose home overlooks the harbour, said he had seen the swan yesterday.

“It was just floating about, It was washed up.

“I heard some folk say it was here for a few days.”

Mr Forsyth said people would be “concerned” by the scare.

There was little visible police presence around the village.

However one patrol car was stationed on a road junction about three miles from Anstruther and Cellardyke.

The officer was checking vehicles to ensure they were not carrying poultry.

Gill Fraser said the bird had been washing in and out for a few days

She said: “The first I heard of this was on the news.

“The kids said they saw the swan.

“My sons are 13 and 14. They had been on their bikes earlier. They said that there was a notice saying that it would be removed tomorrow: ’Do not touch’.

“I think that was today they saw it, but they didn’t say anything until it was on the news.”

Mrs Fraser added: “I think it’s all a bit much. I think most sensible, normal Fife people think the risk is fairly blown out of proportion.”

Catherine Richardson, 20, who works at the Haven bar and restaurant overlooking the harbour, said she had been unaware of the bird’s presence until the new of the bird-flu scare broke last night.

She said: “The first most of us heard about this was from the press.

“A woman saw the swan getting pecked by seagulls. That was a few days ago.”

Dr Lesley Macdonald, NHS Fife director of public health, said last night: “Whilst avian influenza cannot be ruled out at this stage, there is no reason for public health concern.

“Avian influenza is a disease of birds and while it can pass, with difficulty, to humans, this requires extremely close contact with infected poultry, particularly faeces. It is highly unlikely to be passed from human to human.

“It is extremely unlikely that any birds people come across will have avian influenza.

"However, if members of the public find dead birds, particularly in large numbers, they should not handle them and should call the helpline on 08459 335577, which will direct them to Science Advisory Council laboratories.”

Fraser Thomson, head of environmental services at Fife Council said: “Fife Council is supporting the Executive and state veterinary service in this incident as we would in other similar circumstances, for example outbreaks of foot-and-mouth.

"Our main role will be to monitor animal movements and help enforce the exclusion zone.”