Scotland, which discovered its first case of the deadly strain of bird flu in a swan last week, is well prepared for any human pandemic, First Minister Jack McConnell said yesterday. Bird flu is essentially an animal disease but scientists fear it could mutate into a form that could pass between humans. McConnell said officials had reacted quickly to the case and said Scotland had comprehensive contingency plans to cope with any human outbreak.

Scotland confirmed that the deadly H5N1 strain had reached its shores in a Mute swan which was found in Cellardyke harbour in eastern Scotland. Scientists have tested numerous dead birds since then and they have all been found to be negative. ?The surveillance operation that is in place is proving to be very effective and reassuring the public.? McConnell said schools in Scotland could be closed if a pupil was found to have caught the virus. ?The closure of schools would only happen if there were cases being identified in those schools,? he said.

Officials in Scotland have said the threat to humans is remote, despite the discovery of the H5N1 strain in the carcass of the swan, found on March 29.