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.
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:
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 am about to travel abroad. Where can I find
information about areas affected by bird flu?
For travel advice in relation to areas affected by avian flu please go to the National Travel Health and Network and Centre (NaTHaNC): www.nathnac.org
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
Head Office
Port Health
Health Protection
Public Protection Section
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent
CT16 3PJ
Telephone: 01304 872216
Main Switchboard: 01304 821199
Fax: 01304 872416
E-mail: porthealth@dover.gov.uk
