STAFF at Abbotsbury Swannery are staying vigilant for signs of avian flu in the herd on the first anniversary of the outbreak.

Nine swans were lost to the deadly H5N1 virus early last year, leading to the closure of the tourist attraction for several months.

Abbotsbury Tourism general manager John Houston said the attraction has fared well since being given the all-clear to reopen.

He also warned that the virus still exists overseas and will ‘undoubtedly’ re-enter Britain at some point.

He said: “The swannery got through the outbreak and only lost nine birds through the whole period, which is less than we would probably lose during a bad winter.

“It’s clear now from blood tests conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that the herd has now built up an immunity and antibodies to the virus.

“So even if it does come back they’ll be partly resistant to it, which is good news, even if a few of the older ones might be lost.

“I think it was good news for the whole country to see that avian flu coming in is not the end of the world.

“The situation can be managed and it’s not some kind of armageddon.”

Mr Houston said the swannery will reopen for the summer season on March 21, when visitors can try out the attraction’s new swan-shaped maze.

He said he hopes to see better weather boosting tourism trade at the swannery and other tourist attractions in the county this summer and hopes to see visitors turning out to see the swannery’s new hatchlings.

Timeline

Jan 11, 2008 – Defra confirms that three dead birds found at Abbotsbury Swannery are infected with the H5N1 avian flu virus. The swannery closes.

Jan 12, 2008 – The number of dead swans found at the site rises to nine.

Jan 17, 2008 – The death toll rises to 12, with early tests confirming one of the birds suffering avian flu.

Jan 18, 2008 – Dr Mark Salter of the Health Protection Agency confirms the risk of avian flu being passed on to humans is ‘very small’ at a meeting for concerned nearby residents. Four of the dead birds are confirmed to have been carrying avian flu after testing.

Jan 19, 2008 – Tests confirm a fifth dead bird has avian flu.

Jan 25, 2008 – A random test of 60 birds at the swannery conducted by Defra shows none of them have flu.

Jan 28, 2008 – Tests show a sixth dead bird has avian flu.

Jan 31, 2008 – Tests show a seventh dead bird is confirmed to have avian flu.

Feb 2, 2008 – Tests show another two dead birds have avian flu. Staff at the swannery are monitored for infection.

Feb 19, 2008 – The swannery announces that no new cases of avian flu have been found at the site for three weeks.

Feb 20, 2008 – Experts declare there is no evidence of any new bird flu cases .

March 15, 2008 – Swannery reopens after Defra confirms no further risk from the swannery.

March 28, 2008 – Defra lifts the final restrictions on bird movements.

Prices drop

ABBOTSBURY Swannery is dropping its prices as the credit crunch continues to hit people’s pockets.

Swannery manager John Houston said the cost of season tickets is being reduced to encourage more visitors.

Mr Houston said: “Looking at the state of the economy generally I know it would be very difficult for families to pay the prices that season tickets were before.

“This is really a gesture to the local market and to season ticket holders who have been before and want to return.”

A new maze in the shape of the swan has also been unveiled at the swannery as a new attraction.