30/5/2007

Tests at a second farm in Wales where bird flu was a possibiity, because of its links with Chelford Market, have proved negative.

Results for the H7N2 strain of avian flu on a farm on the Llyn Peninsula confirm that birds on the farm are not infected with the virus.

Meanwhile the National Public Health Service for Wales has identified 221 people who may have had contact with the avian flu, 36 in the household setting, 14 in school and 171 in workplace settings (including patients and staff at two hospitals)

By 3pm yesterday, Monday, 12 avian flu contacts had been identified who had or have had symptoms of a flu like illness or conjunctivitis. This is unchanged from the day before.

No one is seriously ill.

Seventy nine patients and staff from Ward 6 at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd are being offered tamiflu as a precaution because of contact with a healthcare worker who is being
treated for the H7 flu virus.

Sixty nine patients and staff from the Accident and Emergency Unit, Trysfan Ward and Gogarth Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd are also being contacted because a patient, who is now discharged, is also being treated for the avian flu virus.

The full list of contacts is constantly changing as possible contacts are added to or taken off the database. Contacts are added if contact was possible. They are taken off if detailed questioning shows that there was no contact.

People with symptoms of conjunctivitis and flu and meet the definition of a case have been given treatment. They have been advised to stay at home until they are
better.

All well contacts are being given medication to reduce the severity of any impact from the infection if their last contact with a case was only a week ago.

Dr Marion Lyons, Lead Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: ⣣We believe the risk to the health of the general public is low. Avian flu is primarily a disease of birds. H7N2 is different to and very mild compared with H5N1.

⣣Of the people with conjunctivitis or a flu-like illness, some did not have close contact with infected poultry.

A Special Helpline available for general information about avian flu in people is open from 7am to 8pm daily. The number is 0845 600 3678.

Test results for the H7N2 strain of avian flu from poultry on a farm on the Llyn Peninsula have proved negative. Final results received today by the Welsh
Assembly Government confirm that birds on the farm are not infected with this virus.


Birds on the farm were tested because of a connection with Chelford Market on 7 May which is linked to the Corwen outbreak where H7N2 was confirmed in poultry on
24 May, 2007. All birds on this site were slaughtered by 5 pm on Friday 25 May and cleansing and disinfection of the site has now been completed.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christianne Glossop said: > We are very pleased with today⣣s results but must not be complacent so early in our investigations into the source of this outbreak. Considerable efforts continue in this complicated tracings exercise.

⣣I repeat my request to any people in Wales who either bought or sold poultry at Chelford Market in Cheshire on Monday 7 May 2007 or any poultry keeper in Wales
who visited Chelford Market on this date whose birds have subsequently become ill, to contact their local Animal Health office.

⣣All bird keepers throughout Wales should continue to be vigilant and maintain strict biosecurity precautions monitoring their birds for any signs of infectious
disease. Again, if anyone is concerned about the health of their birds they should contact Animal Health."

The Welsh Assembly Government continues to co-ordinate the operation working closely with Whitehall departments.