# 847
According to Health officials in the UK, the bird flu outbreak in Wales is over. And I imagine just about everyone involved probably feels like they dodged a bullet.
It could have been much, much worse. And next time, they may not be so lucky.
Wales’ first bird flu outbreak is now over, say health chiefs
Jun 6 2007
Western Mail
WALES’ first outbreak of bird flu is now at an end, health chiefs confirmed yesterday.
Up to 252 individuals, whose health was monitored following possible contact with infected birds or people, have emerged from the virus’s seven-day incubation period.
Officials believe the disease spread from infected chickens on a farm near Cerrigydrudion, Conwy.
Lead consultant in communicable disease control for the National Public Health Service, Dr Marion Lyons, said, “There is no more risk of people in North Wales being infected with the virus identified in infected poultry on May 24.”
Those controlling the spread of the illness stressed the disease was the “very mild” H7N2 strain rather than the more virulent H5N1.
It is thought to have originated from infected chickens traded at Chelford Market in Cheshire, around the middle of last month.
Seventeen people were identified with bird flu because they had conjunctivitis or a flu-like illness. Sixteen of these were tested for the condition, but only two produced positive results for the H7 virus.
Dr Lyons said, “There will be lessons to be learned. These include practical lessons for the handling of other outbreaks.”
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