Bird flu confirmed in Oxfordshire

A case of bird flu in Oxfordshire has been confirmed by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

It states chickens on a farm near Banbury have tested positive for the H7 train of avian influenza. The birds on the premises have been slaughtered as a safety measure.

A temporary 10km control zone has been established around the site by Defra. Any birds kept by other farmers within the zone must be housed and the movement of chickens has been banned within the area.

Dr Judith Hilton, head of microbiological safety at the Food Standards Agency, has reassured the public that the H7 virus is usually spread only by contact with infected birds.

"This case of bird flu on a premises in Banbury, Oxfordshire poses no safety implications for the human food chain. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat," added Dr Hilton.

According to Defra, the last confirmed outbreak of bird flu in the UK was in poultry on a farm in East Anglia in November 2007.