Restrictions are in place at a Suffolk poultry farm after a bird flu outbreak.
Tests are being carried out after signs of the disease were spotted at a Bernard Matthews farm, which is not being identified.
Bird flu has been detected, but Defra said initial tests were negative for the H5 and H7 strains, which are a potential threat to humans.
Movement restrictions are in place at the farm and further tests are due to take place.
'Virus detected'
A Defra spokesman said: "We are awaiting further laboratory test results from an on-going investigation into suspect avian disease at a premises in the South East.
"The premises remains under restriction pending further results. Public Health England are aware and are ready to take the necessary action pending further test results."
A company spokesman said: "Bernard Matthews can confirm that Defra have undertaken tests for avian influenza on one of its farms following notification by the company after some birds showed signs of ill health over the weekend.
"The tests have detected the presence of an avian influenza virus, but Defra have confirmed it is not the highly pathogenic types H5 or H7.
"As a precaution, the farm remains currently under movement restrictions but these are expected to be lifted in the next few days.
"Bernard Matthews' other operations continue to run as normal." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-22182407?
Suffolk: Bird flu scare at Bernard Matthews poultry farm
By Tom PotterWednesday, April 17, 2013 \
TEMPORARY restrictions have been put in place at a Suffolk poultry farm following a bird flu scare.Animal health scientists are awaiting further tests after initial results came back negative for the H5 and H7 strains of avian influenza (AI) - both considered a potential threat to humans - at a Bernard Matthews farm.
Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) would not confirm where the tests had been carried out but said experts were called after a bird displayed respiratory problems.
They warned poultry keepers to stay vigilant and report any concerns to the animal health agency or to a vet.
A Defra spokeswoman said that both strains had the potential to be “highly pathogenic” but that tests had so far returned negative results.
Meanwhile, activities at the plant have been restricted as a precaution while further tests are completed.
A spokesperson for Bernard Matthews said: “We can confirm that some of our birds at one of our farms showed signs of ill health over the weekend. We felt it appropriate to report this to DEFRA. They have detected the presence of an avian influenza virus, but not the virulent H5 or H7 form. Some restrictions are in place as a precaution, but are expected to be lifted in the next few days.”...
