Thousands more birds are to be slaughtered on four farms adjoining the Norfolk farm where the H5N1 strain of avian bird flu was identified by British scientists on Tuesday.
They have also identified the strain of bird flu, which has killed over 200 people, mainly in Asia, as similar to that found in Germany and the Czech Republic during the summer.
Those investigating the source of the outbreak are now concentrating their search on wildfowl in the area. It is believed wild birds may have been responsible for the spread of the disease to the Redgrave free-range poultry farm at Diss.
Acting chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg said there were no confirmed cases at the four new farms that were being operated by the same staff who work at the Redgrave farm.
Yesterday, there was a further meeting of the officials from the National Disease Control centre in Dublin which would co-ordinate the response to an outbreak of the disease here. A Department of Agriculture and Food spokesman said that the officials reviewed the situation in Britain but made no recommendations to the Minister on any new precautionary measures which might have to be taken.