LONDON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The strain of Avian Influenza found on June 3 on the premises near Banbury in Oxfordshire in central England is highly pathogenic H7N7, British Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens confirmed on Thursday.

    Preliminary analysis indicates that this H7N7 strain is likely to be related to viruses which have occasionally been detected in domestic poultry and wild birds elsewhere in Europe and Further laboratory tests are in progress, according to a statement by the Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs.

    The full epidemiological investigation and tracings of any dangerous contacts are underway and all possible sources of the outbreak will be investigated.

    Following confirmation of the virus subtype as H7N7, the Health Protection Agency has confirmed that the risk to public health remains low. The agency remains confident that all necessary steps are being taken to protect those people who may have been exposed to the virus on the premises or involved in disease control activities.

    Protection and Surveillance Zones have replaced the Temporary Control Zone established on June 3 around the premises in Oxfordshire, the statement said.

    All Avian Influenza viruses are categorized according to the ability to cause severe disease (pathogenicity) in avian species as either highly pathogenic viruses or low pathogenic.

    Viruses consist of proteins. Avian Influenza viruses are classified using the H and N proteins. There are 16 different H proteins and 9 N proteins and any combination of these is possible. The H5 and H7s are considered to be the most important from the Animal Health perspective.