BIRD FLU: GETTING CLOSER ; Deadly Strain of Bird Flu is Heading Towards Britain

By EUAN STRETCH

THE world’s deadliest strain of bird flu has spread 5,000 miles from Asia to the edge of Europe.

Tests confirmed yesterday that the H5N1 virus, which can be lethal to humans, had killed a duck and chicken in the Danube delta region of Romania 1,200 miles from Britain.

It is Europe’s biggest wetland and home to hundreds of thousands of migrating birds over winter.

The discovery heightened fears the virus could soon hit Britain.

Experts were yesterday planning to test birds flying into the UK, including those at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge, Glos. Scientists had earlier confirmed that the H5N1 virus had reached Turkey. Nine people in two villages were being monitored yesterday.

The World Health Organisation fears the strain could mutate into a human flu – sparking a pandemic which would kill millions.

There were unconfirmed reports yesterday it had already mutated into a human form.

Around half of the 120 people infected in Asia by the H5N1 strain have died in the last two years.

Scientists at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, Surrey, confirmed the H5N1 virus was in Romania.

A Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesman said: “We believe we are prepared and urge all poultry farmers to keep vigilant.”

Research also suggests attempts to control bird flu could create a drug-resistant form of the virus. Scientists have identified a strain of the H5N1 virus in Vietnam resistant to Tamiflu, the drug being stockpiled in the UK.

Britain has no plans to offer Tamiflu to healthy people but has bought 14.6million courses – enough for a quarter of Brits.

The capsules attack the virus in the body but will not cure H5N1.

A vaccine cannot be made until the genetic form of any virus invading Britain is known. Dr Alan Hay, director of the Medical Research Council’s influenza centre, urged the stockpiling of Relenza, an anti-viral drug which resists the virus. Last night EU experts agreed new measures to stop H5N1 spreading by “strengthening biosecurity measures on farms” and “introducing early detection systems in high risk areas” such as wetlands.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced a pounds 2m grant for virus research.

Yesterday doctors in Italy were monitoring a man of 29 admitted to hospital with flu-like symptoms after a trip to China.