Avian Influenza - Still a Disease of Birds

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Dr Freda Scott-Park today (Friday) urged a sense of perspective over Avian Influenza. "Despite millions of birds having been infected in Asia and many thousands of people having been in close contact with those birds, the disease has only affected 119 people resulting in 60 deaths" she stressed.

"While we must not be complacent about the risk of human disease and possibly mortality, it is important to keep things in perspective" she said. "We do, however, need to be prepared, to be vigilant and to communicate. To that end BVA is in close, indeed daily contact with Defra".

According to Dr Scott-Park the key issues to be addressed were:

- Surveillance: we need to know when the disease arrives;

- Isolation and slaughter of sick, dead or dying birds pending laboratory confirmation;

- Advice to poultry owners: domestic flock owners in particular should endeavour to protect their birds by following the advice on biosecurity produced by the Poultry Club of Great Britain; and

- Vigilance not least on the part of the public, who are asked to report any dramatic local incident such as a large number of dead, dying or sick birds to the Defra Hotline on 08459 335577.

Our guide to Avian Influenza:

Wild bird experts say risk is low

Every fifth US duck has flu virus
Vaccination or mass slaughter?
Are you, your family and staff at risk?
Avian Influenza – a new millennium bug?