An outbreak of bird flu at a Fife poultry farm earlier this year has been blamed on indirect contact with wild birds.

More than 40,000 chickens had to be culled when the mild strain of H5N1 was discovered at Craigie's Poultry Farm in Dunfermline.

A 1km protection zone was temporarily put in place around the farm on January 11 and the Scottish Government sent in health officials to prevent it spreading further.

Sheila Voas, Scotlands chief veterinary officer, states in a report that the most likely source of the virus was wild birds.

The report states: "The most likely time that LPAI infection is estimated to have entered the infected premises is around December 26, 2015 ... The high risk spread window for LPAI virus opened on December 27, 2015, with the spread window extending until January 9 (when restrictions were imposed).

"The epidemiological investigation has concluded that the most likely source of the outbreak is considered to be indirect contact with wild birds.

"This assessment of the source is based on the evidence that: (i) the genetic analyses of the virus indicate a relatively recent introduction from the wild bird population, (ii) there are a number of water bodies in the vicinity where wild fowl have recently been sighted, (iii) there has been a flooded field adjacent to the farm with water fowl sighted in the water, (iv) the infected premises is in the direct flight pathway between a waste disposal site and Loch Fitty."

The report says there may have been "deficiencies in biosecurity on the infected premises which may have led to introduction of virus".

It further states: "Following extensive investigations, no evidence of avian influenza virus infection has been found on other poultry premises identified as tracings from the infected premises, or reported on other domestic poultry premises in the United Kingdom."

The report comes as the Scottish Government publishes a new five-year strategy aimed at further protecting animal health and welfare in the livestock industry.

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