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Bird Flu - Understanding the Current Situation

Update 16:00 13 November 2007

Following further test results from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that the strain of Avian Influenza present at the Infected Premises near Diss is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Further characterisation of the virus is in progress, which may give an indication of the origin of the strain.

Local authorities and Animal Health are enforcing a 3km Protection Zone, a 10km Surveillance Zone and a wider Restricted Zone covering the whole of Suffolk and most of Norfolk around the Infected Premises. In these zones, movement restrictions will be imposed and poultry must be isolated from wild birds. In addition, it has been announced that the national general licence on bird gatherings has been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.

A full epidemiological investigation and tracings of any dangerous contacts are underway and all possible sources of the outbreak will be investigated.

Update: 21:45 12 November 2007

Further restrictions are being put in place in a wider area surrounding the infected premises near Diss as a precautionary measure:

A wider Restricted Zone has been established in addition to the controls put in place earlier today; the new Restricted Zone covers much of Norfolk and the whole of Suffolk
The new Restricted Zone requires the isolation of poultry from wild birds. Movements within this zone can take place, but movements are not permitted out of the new zone at present. We expect to make available general licences for low risk movements out of the zone shortly.
No movements of poultry are permitted at present in the 3km and 10km zones around the Infected Premises.
In addition, the national general licence permitting bird gatherings in England has been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.
These measures are a precaution while the results of further laboratory tests and investigations into the outbreak are awaited.

Position at 16:15 12 November 2007

Defra has today confirmed Avian Influenza in turkeys on a premises near Diss on the Norfolk/Suffolk border after preliminary tests were positive for the H5 strain. The premises also contain ducks and geese. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered.

Full confirmation of results, including whether or not this is H5N1 and whether the strain is high or low pathogenic will follow.

A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone are being established around the Infected Premises. Inside these zones bird movements will be restricted and all birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds. We are also urgently considering with ornithological and other experts what wider measures may be needed.

All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register will be notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.

February 2007

Bird Gatherings:

Defra announced in a recent press release the general licence for bird gatherings has now been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will no longer be permitted. The specific information is available on the Defra website, Defra Kept Birds - Bird Flu Information

Key Message:

Defra are in regular contact with stakeholders and press contacts, including industry representatives. The key message for the poultry industry is to remain vigilant and ensure that high bio security standards are maintained. Bio security advice for farmers and poultry workers is available at Defra Kept Birds - Biosecurity

Latest update: UK Resilience, DEFRA Food Standards Agency

December 2006

One year on: over 250 million poultry registered on the Great Britain Poultry Register as part of Defra's programme of measures to help reduce the impact of an outbreak of avian influenza.

October 2006

UK Resilience information

February 2006

Cases have been found in birds in France. No human cases were reported.

The dead goose found in the river Severn this week was found NOT to be infected with Avian Flu

November 2005

The recent confirmation of the spread of bird flu (avian influenza) to Europe and the increasing numbers of human deaths in Asia is understandably causing concern. Although experts say people in the UK are at "very low risk" of developing the disease at present, it is still advisable for people to be aware of the issue.

There are 15 types of avian flu but the one that is currently causing concern is the H5N1 strain which is deadly in birds and potentially fatal in humans.

Because the carriers of this flu include wild birds there is no way to stop it spreading. However, with strict controls on farms such as secure holdings for domestic birds, the risk of avian flu being passed on can be reduced.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have published information and advice for farmers who may be concerned about the risk to their own animals. They state that all poultry keepers need to be aware of the need for strict biosecurity and hygiene on their premises. Please see the DEFRA website for Avian flu questions and answers.

Until relatively recently avian flu was thought only to infect birds. However, since the first outbreak in Hong Kong in 1997, the BBC reports that 60 people worldwide have died but that the risk to humans is still low. It can only be passed on through close contact with live infected birds so experts say it is still safe to consume poultry. Symptoms in humans are similar to other types of flu - fever, malaise, sore throats and coughs. People can also develop conjunctivitis.

There are indications that avian flu can be passed between humans although at this time not in pandemic proportions. This will only happen if the avian flu mutates into a new variant. This could result from the combination of the avian flu virus with the human flu virus thus creating a new strain.

At present there is no vaccine against avian flu but prototypes which offer protection against the H5N1 strain are being produced.