Latest AI cases in UK represent very low level of infection  Photo: Philip MacKenzie

The UK Government has published an epidemiology report into the outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza in wild birds on its south coast earlier this month.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says that its analysis cannot conclusively identify the source of the infection, but introduction through an infected migratory bird remains the most likely scenario. The virus in the latest case is similar to the strain found in mainland Europe during the latter half of 2007.

Avian flu in the UK

› Fourth UK swan with Avian Flu › UK finds bird flu in wild swans › H5N1 confirmed in UK › Low path avian flu in Wales

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So far, six mute swans at the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset have been found with the disease. The first case was confirmed in the second week of January (UK finds bird flu in wild swans), although it later emerged that the first dead swan had been found in late December. Despite surveillance and monitoring programmes set up after the incident, there is no sign of Avian Flu in domestic birds, says DEFRA.

The disease appears to have been contained in the Abbotsbury premises and confined to the six birds, reports DEFRA. "This represents a very low level of infection in the wild bird population on the site," says a spokesman.

The report can be downloaded from: www.defra.gov.uk/avianflu

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