H5N1 - Bird-flu close to Britain's shores

H5N1 - Dead swans are being tested in UK
Bird-flu is moving closer to Britain with outbreaks of the deadly virus now having been confirmed in 12 European countries. Cases of H5N1 have so far been identified in Turkey, Romania, Greece, Croatia, Ukraine, Cyprus, Italy, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Slovenia and France. But there are worries that the UK authorities may not be able to cope with an outbreak in Britain. In 2001 thousands of animals were culled to prevent the spread of Foot & Mouth disease which devastated Britain’s meat industry. And an outbreak of bird-flu is likely to further affect the economy as consumer shy away from chicken products. According to Sky News the virus may have already arrived after nine dead swans were found in a number of counties across Britain. Tests were being carried out on dead birds found in Bury St Edmonds, Winchester, Preston, Shrewsbury, Thirsk and Hertfordshire.