Avian Flu (Bird flu)
Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease affecting many
species of birds, including commercial, wild and pet birds. Recent
outbreaks of a new form of the virus, H5N1, have arisen in the Far
East and more recently in Europe. Tests have been carried out on
more than 3,000 wild birds across the country, to see what strains
of bird flu are being carried by the wild bird population. The
results are being processed by government experts but no reported
cases are currently known.
- Avian influenza (AI) is a disease of birds, not humans. People
can become infected but rarely are.
- There are many strains of avian influenza viruses, which vary
in their ability to cause disease.
- AI viruses are categorized according to this ability to cause
severe disease (pathogenicity) as either highly pathogenic avian
influenza viruses (HPAI) or low pathogenic (LPAI).
- LPAI does not always cause obvious disease in birds. It is
present in the global wildfowl population.
- Certain strains of LPAI can mutate into HPAI, especially when
introduced into poultry populations.
More information is available on the DEFRA website www.defra.gov.uk
Protecting Domestic birds
Keepers are being advised to keep their
birds away from wild birds and to feed and water them indoors.
Keepers such as free-range farmers whose flocks normally live
outdoors are being advised to make preparations to bring them under
cover if necessary to protect them from infection by contact with
wild birds or faeces.
Under a newly adopted EU directive, anyone with 50 or more birds
is obliged to add them to a national register by the end of
February. Smaller flocks can also be added on a voluntary
basis.
Poultry keepers are being informed about the disease and urged
to look out for symptoms. Bird flu is a "notifiable" disease, which
means farmers are obliged by law to report infected birds
What do I do if I see dead birds?
If you think you have come across unusual
deaths of wild birds and a rule of thumb is:
- One or more swans
- Three or more birds of the same species
- 5 or more birds of different species
then contact the Defra help-line 08459 33 55 77 or the
local State Veterinary Service office on 01737 242242
The help-line will take details and decide whether to pass you
on to the nearest Veterinary Laboratory Agency (VLA). When
contacting the Defra Helpline please have as much information to
hand as possible so that an initial assessment can be made. If you
are passed on to a veterinary laboratory, they will decide whether
an examination of the carcasses is required and will arrange
collection.
Members of the public should avoid handling dead birds unless
advised to so. For advice on disposing of dead birds that do not
require DEFRA involvement please contact Environmental Health on
01304 872287
My neighbour keeps domestic fowl - should I be worried?
You should not be concerned at the present time there is no
evidence of bird flu in the UK. The chances of catching it are in
any case slim and it is usually contracted by people working or
living directly with poultry. There have been about 100 cases
worldwide this year. More information is available on the DEFRA
website www.defra.gov.uk/
Garden Birds
Although the UK is currently a disease
free country and there are no known incidents of people catching
the disease from wild birds, in the light of the H&S guidance
above it is always advisable to follow sensible hygiene procedures.
These include washing hands thoroughly after filling and washing
feeders.
Is it safe to eat poultry or game?
On the basis of current scientific evidence, the Food Standards
Agency advises that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk for
UK consumers. This is because for people, the risk of catching the
disease is from being in close contact with live poultry that have
the disease and not through eating cooked poultry, game or
eggs.
I want some more information regarding Pandemic Flu?
Information about Pandemic Flu should be
directed to the Health Protection Agency HPA via their website
www.hpa.org.uk or the
Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk/Home/fs/en
Contact Port Health
Telephone: 01304 872216
E-mail: porthealth@dover.gov.uk
