The arrival of a highly pathogenic form of avian flu in Britain was confirmed last night as veterinary officials revealed that a parrot that died in quarantine had the disease.
The parrot, part of a consignment from Surinam in South America, was among birds sharing space in a biosecure unit with another consignment from Taiwan. A "small number" of people who had been in contact with the birds have been given anti-viral treatment.
Debby Reynolds, the chief vet, said the case would not affect Britain's disease-free status as she revealed more than 360 birds had been culled. "It is very difficult for humans to contract avian influenza. However, the necessary actions to protect human health have been taken in this instance," she said.
Tests have yet to confirm whether the parrot, which was imported into Britain in September and died three days ago, succumbed to the feared H5N1 form, although it is known the virus was one of the H5 types.
Ms Reynolds said: "I don't intend to speculate on the N-type until I have formal, official confirmation of this." She moved to calm any possible panic, stressing that the incident confirmed the strength of Britain's quarantine rules, but questions were immediately raised about the danger from illegally traded pet birds.
Fears are growing the H5N1 virus, which has caused chaos among flocks in south-east Asia and killed more than 60 people in close contact with poultry flocks, might mutate into a deadly human pandemic strain.
In recent weeks the virus has been spreading westward across Russia, Turkey and into Europe. Last night, Croatia confirmed a case of the deadly form of the disease.
Bob McCracken, a former president of the British Veterinary Association, said: "The incidents of bird flu in eastern Europe have been a warning and this will be another. The virus is not too far away in migrating wild birds or the pet bird population. Pet birds must go through quarantine to make sure there is no illegal trade." He added that the presence of birds from Taiwan in the same unit as those from South America would suggest that authorities should work on the basis that the bird flu was a form of the H5N1 virus. "We have been very fortunate the system has worked," said Dr McCracken.
Ms Reynolds would not reveal where the quarantine unit where the parrot died was. She said it was part of a mixed consignment of 148 parrots and soft-billed birds although she could not say where they were headed. Another bird that died did not test positive.
