Bird flu outbreak

Published on Sunday 27 May 2007 00:44

The chickens at the centre of a bird flu outbreak in North Wales were bought at a market in Cheshire.

Four people have tested positive for the disease after the virus was found on a farm in Corwen, and five other people are being treated as having had the disease.

Thirty chickens on the smallholding have now been slaughtered after 15 birds died. They were 22-week-old Rhode Island Red chickens bought by the farm two weeks ago.

Dr Christianne Glossop, chief veterinary officer for Wales, said they had all come from Chelford Market, which she said was "one line of inquiry" being followed.

The virus found is not the most dangerous H5N1 strain but H7N2 low pathogenic avian influenza.

Shona Robison, Scotland's public health minister, said so far there was nothing to link Scotland with the outbreak.