A DEAD swan found in the River Test near Romsey is being examined for bird flu, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The bird was discovered floating in the water on the same day that tests on a swan found in Scotland showed that had become the first British casualty of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu.

The Department for Food, the Environment, and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the Romsey swan was being examined at the government's Veterinary Laboratory Agency in Weybridge, Surrey, with results due back in the next few days.

Do not panic

Today though those at the forefront of the vigil for the disease in Hampshire say they still believed it unlikely the Romsey bird will have died of H5N1 and are urging people not to panic.

It is understood the Romsey swan may have been dead in the water for up to three days before anxious residents reported it to the authorities.

The implications for Hampshire if the bird does turn out to have died from bird flu would be massive, with poultry farmers ordered to bring their flocks inside and, in a worst case scenario, forced to cull their birds to avoid the risk of cross infection.

Defra would also immediately set up a seven-mile exclusion zone around the site where the bird was found, close to Saddler's Mills, while any bird movements into and out of the zone was also be stopped.

A RSPB spokesman said his organisation, along with the Environment Agency, were now on high alert for sightings of sick or dead birds in Hampshire and across the country. He urged the public to be vigilant also.

However, he added the risk to humans was still very small as most people did not come into direct contact with wild birds and that so far H5N1 has only spread to people through close contact either with the infected birds or their droppings.

He added: "Our advice to people remains, don't panic.

"We have had dead swans found in Hampshire before that turned out not to have died from H5N1, and until the test results are back, there is still no reason to suspect the disease is here.

"Also, people should remember that it is actually extremely hard to catch avian flu. There have still been no reported incidents of people catching it from wild birds - and you would have to get very close to a bird or its droppings to contract the illness."

Anyone finding a dead bird should contact Defra on 08459 335577.