Vets respond to confirmation of Avian Influenza in wild birds in Dorset
12 January 2018
Avian Influenza has been detected in 17 wild birds in Dorset, but does not pose a food safety risk
The
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that Avian Influenza of the H5N6 strain has been detected in
17 wild birds in Dorset.
Public
Health England have advised the risk to public health is very low with the Food
Standards Agency also offering reassurance that bird flu does not pose a food
safety risk for UK consumers. Defra has confirmed that this is different to the
strains which affected people in China last year.
This
is the first confirmed finding of the virus in the UK this winter and the UK
Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Nigel Gibbens has stated that, although it does
not represent a threat to public, it is highly infectious and deadly to birds.
There have been a number of cases of H5N6 virus in wild birds in Europe in
recent months.
Local
measures will be put in place to manage the potential threat. These include a
local Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in Dorset as a precautionary
measure to prevent disease spread to other birds. This means all captive bird
keepers in the area will have to implement enhanced biosecurity measures such
as feeding and watering birds undercover so that wild birds do not co-mingle with
kept birds; minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures; cleaning and
disinfecting footwear; and keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy.
There
are no plans for culling or movement restrictions.
BVA President John Fishwick responded: “I’d
encourage vets to reassure their clients that this strain of Avian Influenza
poses a very low risk to public health and the food chain. Defra have acted
swiftly to try and contain further spread of the disease, which has likely come
from migratory birds, yet vets and poultry owners should remain vigilant for
signs of the disease.”
British
Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA) President Phil Hammond added: “It’s
really important that all bird keepers heed biosecurity advice issued by Defra,
and maintain the highest biosecurity standards. Any suspicion of Avian
Influenza should be reported to the APHA as soon as possible.”
Up-to-date
advice and guidance on Avian Influenza is available on the Gov.UK website,
including how to spot it, what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent
it.
For
further advice on Avian Influenza contact the Defra Helpline on 03459 33 55 77.