Avian influenza

Avian Influenza Update: 27 March 2008

How did avian influenza reach western Europe?

H5N1 has been circulating in Asian poultry populations for several years now. During the period 2005 to 2006, as the virus spread from its original focus in south-east Asia to central Asia, then the Black Sea region, and more recently into West Africa, the means of its transmission were unclear. Whilst there was much speculation about the role of wild birds, there were also clear grounds for suspecting that movements of poultry and cagebirds were at least partly responsible. However, the cases in western Europe in late winter 2005-06 pointed very strongly towards spread by wild birds following cold-weather influxes of birds from further east. The pattern of more recent outbreaks in Europe is not easy to explain, and may well involve a mixture of spread both by wild birds and by the poultry industry.

What to do

Birdwatchers can be of great assistance in staying alert for unusual cases of mortality or sickness in wild birds. Contrary to some suggestions, there is clearly no need to report every single dead bird that you come across. However, if you do notice unusual mortality (e.g. several dead birds in unexplained circumstances) then please contact Defra immediately on 08459 335577. In addition, Defra are interested in all reports of single dead swans.

It should be stressed that H5N1 is a disease of birds. It is of great concern for the poultry industry but does not appear to be a major issue for human health in the UK. Whilst deaths have occurred in other countries, the numbers of cases have been very low and have been confined to people in very close contact to infected poultry. The advice is that there is no danger from eating well-cooked poultry and there is certainly no danger from normal birdwatching activities. Sensible basic hygiene should be practised if you do come into closer contact with birds (for more information click here). Ringers have been issued with more detailed guidance (click here for details).

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

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