Press Release: Avian influenza H5N1 confirmed in three wild swans in the United Kingdom: authorities applying precautionary measures

The UK authorities have informed the European Commission of the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in three wild swans at a bird sanctuary in Dorset. At the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, the UK delegation reported that laboratory tests carried out by the Community Reference Laboratory in Weybridge confirmed that it is the H5N1 strain of the virus. There have been no positive cases of H5N1 in wild birds in the EU since mid-August 2007.