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Deadly Strain of Bird Flu Found in Britain

The European Union officially announced Saturday that the deadly strain of bird flu was discovered in a farm in eastern Britain, belonging to Europe`s largest Turkey product manufacturer. This is the second time this year the deadly virus was discovered in one of the European Union`s 27 member states.

Experts from the British veterinary services were called to inspect the farm on Thursday, after 2,500 birds died after exhibiting the symptoms related to bird flu. After preliminary tests it was verified that this was in fact a case of bird flu, which has infected one of the 22 poultry enclosures in the farm. Once the tests were in, the British government began killing the infected birds, and closed off a 3 Km radius around the farm. The British press broadcasted video of tractors piling bird carcasses.

This may be the first case of outbreak of the deadly strain of the bird flu in the country, but not of the disease itself. In May this year, 50 thousand birds were killed in a farm in eastern Britain after contracting a milder version of the virus. In March the body of a Swan, who had died in the hands of bird flu, was found on the shores of Scotland. It has been hypothesized that the swan contracted the flu in a different country and died of the illness while flying over the sea. The European poultry industry is very much concerned over the prospect of a widespread breakout of the deadly virus.