The UK's first case of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has been confirmed at Cellardyke in Fife. The dead swan was found at the harbour. The Executive has announced sweeping measures to contain the virus but there are already 14 other birds being tested across the country.
A huge area that takes in Fife, Perth, Dundee up to Angus has been declared a Wild Bird Risk Area. A quarter of a million birds need to be taken indoors to stop the spread of the disease.
Those who discovered the dead bird say it had been the water for some time and looked like a mangled heap of feathers. Tina Briscoe said: "I have reported it at five o'clock to the local police station, and they referred me to the RSPCA, and they said "Well, if it is a dead swan it needs to be reported to DEFRA". Within an hour, the state duty vet was back to me, asking where it was and decided they'd come and pick it up."
Dan Young said: "Not immediately, but at that time it was about eight o'clock in the evening, and they apparently had another couple of dead swans reported that they needed to pick up as well."
Initial results came back last night showing the presence of the H5 virus. Immediately a three kilometre protection zone was put in place around Cellardyke, restricting the movement of poultry, eggs and poultry products. Deliveries were allowed in - but not out. Vets started checking seven poultry farms within a 10 kilometre surviellance zone.
The country's chief veterinary officer defended the length of time it could to confirm the bird flu infection. On Wednesday March 29 the dead swan was found and reported to the authorities. It was only the following day that it was picked up by a local vet. It took another day before it was sent to the European testing centre in England where, because it was the weekend, nothing was done for three days. On Monday the tests were carried out. Only yesterday the initial results were reported to the Scottish Exectuive at five o'clock. Three hours later the public was informed.
Charles Milne said: "The procedures were followed fully, the timelines could not have been tighter in my opinion. We got the results at the earliest possible opportunity, and the appropriate measures have been put in place."
The Scottish Farmers Unions says Scotland is well placed to prevent a spread of the disease to farm birds. Experts are urging the public to remain calm. At the moment the real threat is to poultry rather to to human health. The authorities say the risk to human health is very low - the greatest threat is to poultry workers who come into contact with infected birds
The dead bird was a mute swan - and may not have been a migrant as many suspected. In an attempt to stop the disease spreading to poultry farms the authorities have decalred a wild bird risk zone affecting two and half thousand square miles of eastern scotland.
Meanwhile, two swans found dead in a park in Glasgow within the last 24 hours have been tested for bird flu. The birds were discovered in Richmond Park in the Rutherglen area of the city. They were sent to the vet centre at the Scottish Agricultural College in Ayr for a further examination but they were found not have Avian Flu.
A special government helpline has been set up for anyone who finds a dead swan, duck or goose, or three or more dead wild birds together. The public are being advised not pick up any dead birds but to instead report them to the police or through the special hotline. The DEFRA number is 08459 33 55 77 The helpline is open 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
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