Swans test negative for bird flu in UK

Two dead swans have tested negative for the H5N1 strain of bird flu at a UK reserve where three birds were earlier found infected with the deadly virus.

The three infected swans were found at the Abbotsbury Swannery, an open reserve in the Chesil Beach area of Dorset, England on December 27, 31 and January 4.

The British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) today confirmed that two more dead swans found in the area have tested negative for the H5N1 strain.

John Houston, general manager at Abbotsbury Tourism Ltd, said: “It’s good news but it’s too early days to be excited by it.”

Another dead swan was found along the Fleet lagoon at the historic tourist attraction today and will be sent for testing.

It takes the total number of dead swans found in the area to ten since December 27, said Mr Houston.

Tests were being carried out on the dead birds and a Defra spokeswoman said: “There are other birds being tested.

“We expect there to continue being birds tested not least because the public are vigilant at the moment which is great because that means the surveillance is more effective.”

Mr Houston said the numbers of dead swans found was lower than usual for January.

“It’s not unusual for birds to die in the winter of natural causes,” he said. “In fact, there are less dying at the moment than usual because it’s quite warm. Until I hear otherwise I’m going to assume the best.”

Defra has set up control and monitoring areas around the Abbotsbury site to try to contain the outbreak, with severe movement restrictions applying within the zones.

The Abbotsbury Swannery is a reserve for free flying swans and wild birds and is part of an internationally important wetland.

It is a seasonal tourist attraction which closed to the public on October 28 last year and is due to reopen on March 15.

The discovery comes less than a month after restrictions on poultry movement were lifted in Norfolk and Suffolk in England.