The evidence we have observed strongly indicates that these healthy birds were not infected with the same virus that is currently present in Asia.

It's important to clarify that the avian influenza virus is not new to wild birds.

This virus is deadly to some birds, but not all birds, so some birds can carry it and appear healthy. What do people need to know, number one, is there's no reason for panic.

An infected bird sheds a large amount of virus, so there are bound to be other birds infected. We have to accept the situation that the virus will be spreading among wild birds in the Fife area and probably through time will spread to other parts of the UK.

The evidence of recent violence ... indicates that the cycle of violence has not yet been broken.

The data indicates that the virus is being transmitted efficiently from dog to dog, and this indicates that the equine virus was transmitted to dogs and is now well established in the dog population.