TWO more swans found dead on a reserve in Dorset have tested positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed.
The latest results bring the number of swans found to have the disease at the Abbotsbury Swannery, an open reserve in the Chesil Beach area, to nine.
Defra said further cases of the disease in coming weeks would not be unexpected', but there is still no evidence of widespread infection amongst the mute swans or that it has spread to poultry.
However the department has urged poultry keepers to remain vigilant for signs of bird flu in their flocks.
Earlier this week an epidemiology report into the case said H5N1 was most lovely to have been introduced by an infected migratory bird.
It also said the strain of the virus is similar to those found in Europe in the latter part of last year.
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