Avian influenza in the United Kingdom/Great Britain

Report date: 28 April 2006.

Identification of agent: low pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H7N3*.

Date of first confirmation of the event: 28 April 2006.

Date of start of the event: 20 April 2006.

Nature of diagnosis: laboratory.

An outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza subtype H7N3 has been reported in poultry (broiler and breeder chickens) at Mattishall in Norfolk district. 87 birds are dead and 34,358 susceptible birds have been destroyed.

The diagnosis has been established by the OIE/FAO Reference Laboratory for avian influenza in Weybridge (United Kingdom) on 26 and 28 April 2006.

The control measure undertaken is stamping out of all susceptible birds.

Control measures to be undertaken are:

* Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: H5 and H7 avian influenza in its low pathogenic form in poultry is a notifiable disease as per Chapter 2.7.12. on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code.