Hungary still a suspect in UK bird flu outbreak

Animal health experts across the EU are looking to the UK and Hungary to establish the possible source of a bird flu outbreak in the UK.

The UK’s Veterinary Laboratory Agency reported on Tuesday (13 February) that the H5N1 strains found in England were almost identical to those discovered in two Hungarian poultry farms last month. The 99.96% similarity suggests a Hungarian farm was the source of infection.

But Hungary has said that the affected UK farm did not import any poultry or poultry products from the two farms suffering from bird flu around the time of the outbreak.

The Hungarian Poultry Council accused the British media of trying to blame Hungary for the outbreak.

Both countries are now looking into other possible links, including the movement of workers and vehicles, and imports from areas close to the affected Hungarian farms.

A UK government official warned that it was very rare to establish the exact source of a bird flu outbreak.

The UK hopes to report on the investi-gation within the next few weeks.

An early update is expected by tomorrow (16 February).

The UK and Hungary are both likely to report on the state of play to member states on 5 March.

Animal health experts across the EU are looking to the UK and Hungary to establish the possible source of a bird flu outbreak in the UK.