Scientists found in a new study that the bird flu was detected in the air of dairy farms, suggesting that both the cattle and workers could be infected by inhaling it. However, health officials maintain that the public health risk for the general public remains low.

The H5N1 avian influenza virus can now be found not only in milk and on milking equipment but also in farm wastewater and in the air, say researchers who have been trying to figure out how the virus spreads on dairy farms.

Restrictions are in place around a poultry farm in Aberdeenshire after an outbreak of bird flu. A 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone and 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone have been set up at Duncan Farms' Strath of Brydock site near Banff.