Chickens at farm outside the capital tested for suspected bird flu

Published on Friday 14 March 2008 21:25

TESTS were being carried out last night after signs of suspected bird flu were found at a farm on the edge of Edinburgh.

Workers at Easter Norton Farm, near Edinburgh Airport, are believed to have raised the alarm and called in veterinary experts to examine a number of chickens.

A warning sign at the entrance to the poultry farm, at Newbridge, banned all vehicles from entering without permission yesterday.

However, sources said the tests were routine and insisted there was "no cause for alarm".

It is understood there have been no signs of the H5N1 strain, which is potentially deadly to humans.

The Scottish Government was last night playing down fears of a bird flu outbreak in the capital. A spokeswoman said: "There has been no outbreak of avian influenza. The Animal Health Agency is undertaking routine precautionary investigations into a potential notifiable disease at a premises in the Edinburgh area."

A spokesman for Edinburgh City Council said: "We're currently awaiting further information from the Scottish Government.

"Well rehearsed and robust plans are in place should they be required," he said.