Thousands of birds culled after outbreak of avian flu at farm

THOUSANDS of birds have been culled following an outbreak of avian flu at a Scottish farm.

Concerns were first raised by workers at the breeding game bird farm, who noticed that birds were dying in large numbers.

Tests uncovered a strain of bird flu, H5N1, and 14,000 mixed game birds had to be killed.

Ministers have now imposed a two-mile protection zone around Scoonie Farm in Leven, Fife, with a six-mile surveillance zone to restrict the movement of poultry and related products.

Bird keepers have been reminded to follow safety advice, including a ban on mixing with wild birds.

Residents must not touch dead birds found in the wild and should report any findings to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Rural Affairs Minister Ben Macpherson said: ‘I have put in place controls under domestic and EU legislation that will help control any further spread of the disease in the surrounding area.’ The Scottish Government has insisted that the health risk to humans is very low.

Food standard bosses added that properly cooked poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Scotland’s chief veterinary officer Sheila Voas said: ‘This highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (H5N1) has been confirmed on a farm of approximately 14,000 mixed game birds with high mortality in the last few days. All remaining birds are being humanely culled.’

The outbreak follows confirmation of cases of the H5N8 strain in free-range chickens on a farm in Sanday, Orkney, in December.

Thirty-nine birds in that flock died and 11 were put down.

Avian flu risk levels are currently deemed ‘very high’ for wild birds.