Avian 'flu confirmed in Norfolk chickens
PRELIMINARY TESTS last night (April 26) confirmed that the avian influenza virus was present in samples from chickens found dead on a poultry farm near Dereham in Norfolk.

DEFRA said that further testing was underway to determine the strain of the virus. More information is expected to be released tomorrow (April 28). Early test results show that it is likely to be the H7 strain of avian influenza, and not H5N1; further confirmatory tests are in progress to determine the pathogenicity, the Government said.

Around 35,000 chickens on the farm will be slaughtered "as a precautionary measure".

Restrictions have been placed on the farm in question, Witford Lodge Farm in Hockering, about 13 miles west of Norwich.

DEFRA officials have said that when the additional laboratory results are known further action may be taken.


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