THREE dead swans at Abbotsbury were today found to have been carrying the deadly strain of bird flu.
The birds were found by a member of staff at Abbotsbury Swannery, near Weymouth.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the birds had the H5N1 virus.
John Houston, who is general manager at Abbotsbury Tourism Ltd, said the dead birds were found by a member of staff at Abbotsbury Swannery and Defra was notified as part of standard procedure.
He said: "Our main concern is the welfare of the swans, our staff and the general public.
"We are working closely with Defra to ensure that this outbreak is contained and that the number of swans affected is limited.
"We are also working with the Health Protection Agency to ensure that staff and public are fully protected."
The Abbotsbury Swannery is a reserve for free flying swans and wild birds and is part of an internationally important wetland.
The Swannery has been under the stewardship of the Ilchester Estates since 1541, although records of a Swannery on the site date back to 1354.
It is a seasonal tourist attraction, which closed to the public on October 28 last year and is due to reopen on March 15
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