# 2842
According to documents filed with the OIE (World Animal Health Organization), the outbreak at the quail farm in Japan is a low pathogenic virus.
Here is a partial screen shot of part of the OIE report.
This makes far more sense than what was reported earlier today, that the virus was highly pathogenic, yet no birds had died. As I remarked in my earlier blog:
No excess mortality in the birds has been reported, which is a bit unusual for a `highly pathogenic' strain. For now officials are assuming this is an `attenuated virulent type of H7'.
Meanwhile, word has come that the outbreak at two Bernard Mathews Farms in Norfolk and Suffolk are from the low pathogenic H6N1 virus.
Low risk bird flu on Norfolk farm identified as the H6 virus
27 February 2009
Government tests have now identified a strain on bird flu found on a Norfolk farm as the H6N1 virus.
As reported yesterday, the flu affecting birds at Bernard Matthews' breeder farm at Yaxham, near Dereham, was very quickly ruled out as the deadly H5 or H7 strain of avian influenza.This afternoon the firm said tests have now confirmed the birds have a virus, but one of low risk to humans.
A statement from the firm said: “Further testing has identified the type as H6N1. This is a virus type that has been isolated in both wild birds and commercial poultry flocks in Europe over the last few years.”
Government agency Defra started tests for bird flu on Arran Farm at Yaxham and another at Ubbeston near Halesworth in Suffolk after the firm brought it to their attention.
