Dead swans tested for bird flu in UK

Nine dead swans are being tested for bird flu in Britain, it has been revealed.

Members of the public found the birds in Bury St Edmonds, Hertfordshire, Preston, Shrewsbury, Thirsk and Winchester.

No bird has yet tested positive, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The revelation comes after John Reid, defence secretary, urged people not to panic after the French government confirmed a dead duck in Lyon had the fatal H5N1 virus.

“All the tests have so far been negative but testing continues,” he said.

“Obviously, we are at a heightened level of surveillance given the case in France.”

Nevertheless, the government has admitted that the spread of the deadly strain of the virus to France means that it is “more likely” the disease will eventually reach Britain.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has told members to prepare to take poultry indoors at short notice.

The H5N1 strain has infected 169 people worldwide, killing at least 91, while millions of birds have been destroyed.

More than 14 million courses of antiviral drugs are being stockpiled by the government in case of emergency.

© Adfero Ltd