# 2835
In November of 2007 the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk were the site of several bird flu outbreaks which resulted in the culling of nearly 70,000 birds on at least 6 farms.
Today we are learning of a new investigation by Defra, the UK's Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs into a possible avian flu infection on two farms in the Suffolk-Norfolk region.
While the strain has not been identified, suspicions are of a `low-path' variety, given that no excess mortality in the flocks has been reported.
Defra has placed movement restriction on birds out of these two farms, but has not advised any culling as yet.
As a precaution, some farm workers have been placed on prophylactic Tamiflu.
Further tests are ongoing.
Tests for bird flu on two farms
More tests are taking place to identify the strain on flu
Birds on two poultry farms in Suffolk and Norfolk have tested positive for a strain of avian flu.
Vets from Defra carried out the tests at Bernard Matthews breeder sites in Ubbeston in Suffolk and near Yaxham in Norfolk.
The birds tested positive for avian influenza but not the highly pathogenic H5 or H7 types.
Defra has not advised a cull of the birds but has placed a movement restriction on them.
A Defra spokesman said: "A routine veterinary investigation is ongoing at poultry premises into the possible presence of a notifiable avian disease. Laboratory tests are ongoing and there is no conclusion yet.
Further tests
"Routine veterinary investigations into notifiable diseases occur on a regular basis.
"It is a legal requirement to notify the Animal Health Agency of the possibility of such diseases whenever these cannot be ruled out by a vet or an animal keeper as part of the diagnosis of illness in animals or birds."
A second series of tests is taking place to identify the strain of influenza.
