Urgent review follows British bird flu case

Thursday 6th April 2006, 12:00AM BST.

BRITAIN’S first case of bird flu has prompted an urgent review by Island health authorities over what steps need to be taken to protect Islanders.

Environment director Chris Newton and Medical Officer of Health Dr Rosemary Geller are waiting to find out whether a swan that died of bird flu was carrying the deadly H5N1 virus, and if so, whether the presence of the virus in Scotland represents a big risk to Jersey.

Mr Newton added there was not necessarily a need for immediate action.

He said: ‘In reality we have a single case of bird flu a fair distance away from Jersey, so that in itself would not immediately trigger us to consider actions like ordering birds indoors.

‘However, we will have to take stock of whether it turns out to be a single isolated incident, or whether it is more significant and heralds further outbreaks in that part of the world.’

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