Avian flu

Avian Influenza Update: 4 August 2008

On 11 July, Defra published a final epidemiology report into the Avian Influenza outbreak confirmed in Oxfordshire on 4 June. The report concluded that infection was confined to a single premise, and that there was no evidence of infection on any contact or geographically close premises, or evidence of spread of infection to any other premises. The Surveillance Zone and remaining disease control area restrictions put in place following the outbreak of H7N7 avian influenza in Oxfordshire was lifted at 00.01 on Tuesday 8 July. There are therefore no longer any AI restrictions on BTO fieldwork in this area. Further details about Defra’s approach to Avian Influenza.

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.

What are the risks from garden birds?

The British Trust for Ornithology, RSPB and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust have issued clear advice to inform the public, and to counter some of the concerns that have understandably developed as a result of the coverage of the spread of bird flu (H5N1). Knowing the facts will help to reassure you, so that you can continue to enjoy feeding birds and watching them in your garden.

Feeding birds

It is extremely unlikely that bird flu could be transmitted to people by feeding birds in the garden.

Birds carry a variety of diseases, such as salmonella. The single most important action we can take, to protect both the birds that feed in our gardens and ourselves, is to follow hygiene guidelines.

In all circumstances, after handling bird feeders, cleaning bird baths or feeding birds, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Bird feeders should be washed and cleaned regularly to prevent spread of diseases such as salmonella. This should be done outside in your garden with dilute disinfectant (normal household bleach diluted 1:20).

Nesting birds

The RSPB, the BTO and the WWT are aware of incidents in Europe where nests of White Storks and the endangered Lesser Kestrel have been destroyed.

The fear of bird flu may drive people to take unnecessary and inappropriate action, such as destroying nests and driving birds away. Such action will not provide protection from bird flu. Humans can only catch bird flu if they have extremely close contact with an infected bird, or its droppings. The risk of a nesting bird in your garden being infected is very small indeed, and the risk of contracting the virus is also extremely small. However, as a precaution, you should avoid touching sick or dead birds and bird droppings. Almost all of the human cases of infection have been due to extremely close contact with sick or dead poultry.

In the case of nests already in use (this includes nests being built or repaired), it is an offence to disturb or destroy them.

As always, if you see a baby bird (fledgling) in your garden, leave it to its own devices. Its parents are almost certainly nearby and will look after it.

What do I do if I find a dead bird?

Many thousands of birds die every week of natural causes and so it is not unusual to occasionally find dead birds. If, however, you find three or more dead wild, or garden birds together in the same place and you are suspicious of the cause of death, do not touch the birds but call the Defra Help Line on 08459 335577. This is particularly important for species like waterfowl.

Where possible, avoid directly touching any dead birds. If you move a dead bird (e.g. if a cat brings one into your house or you need to check if it is ringed), invert a plastic bag over your hand and pick the bird up in the plastic. If the bird is ringed, report the ring details to the BTO (www.ring.ac), then draw the bag over your hand and tie it up (like using a dog pooper-scooper) and dispose of it in your usual household waste, then wash your hands with soap and water.

Advice for Ringers

Ringers have been issued with more detailed guidance.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.