Avian influenza on Norfolk farm not H5N1

Tests have identified avian influenza in broiler breeders found dead on a farm near Dereham in Norfolk. Further tests are being carried out to determine the strain of the virus but preliminary results show that it is likely to be the H7 strain and not H5N1.

As a precautionary measure the 35,000 birds on the premises will be slaughtered on suspicion of an avian notifiable disease. Restrictions have been placed on the farm and when the additional laboratory results are known - which will include determining whether it is a low or high pathogenic strain - further action may be taken, says Defra.

An outbreak of the H7N7strain of avian influenza in the Netherlands in 2003 led to the slaughter of around 30 million birds.