Bird Flu in Oxfordshire

A farm in Oxfordshire has had all its chickens slaughtered after it was discovered that the H7 strain of bird flu was present.

Now apparently this strain is not as virrulent as the now infamous H5N1 strain but still it seems no chances are being taken.

Does anyone with a little more knowledge on the subject know how serious this could be? How likely is it to mutate etc??

Is there a chance this could become H5N1 or is that not possible? My microbiology and virology are a bit rusty.

Link to news:
news.bbc.co.uk...

edit to correct mistake

[edit on 3-6-2008 by Chonx]

Yeah, was about to post the article

an update

A 10 kilometre control zone has been set up around the farm, inside which all birds must be housed to keep them away from wild birds within a three kilometre radius.

news.sky.com...

There is more chance of me becoming King of Great Britain than this turning into the form that could kill humans. Unless you live with chickens, we are fine.

reply to post by infinite


lol, got no chickens in my flat, thats re-assurring, thanks infinite.
When one of these quarentines happens I can't help but feel sorry for those poor chickens who are not infected but live on the same farm and get slaughtered.


nescesary however, I know.