The Isle of Wight Council has issued the following statement to advise bird show organisers on the latest avian influenza precautions:

“The Isle of Wight Council animal health section would like to remind those who are organising fairs, sales, shows, exhibitions of birds, pigeon racing and falconry events that, although these type of events can take place under the conditions of a general licence already issued by Defra, they must first notify the State Veterinary Service (SVS) of their plans. This notification must be given at least 14 days before the event and ensures that compliance with the general licence conditions can be checked. The SVS is also keen to hear from any bird gathering organiser who can be added to their database. For gatherings on the Isle of Wight the telephone number to call is 0118 939 2506 (SVS Reading).

“This is one of the precautions against avian influenza that the government has introduced to help in the prevention of the disease and to enable prompt and accurate tracing should it be discovered.

“The general licence conditions require the need for a responsible person to be nominated, comprehensive records to be kept of those attending (and in the event of sales – the purchasers), biosecurity (cleansing and disinfection) leaflets to be distributed and a veterinary surgeon and deputy must be appointed. Written, detailed action plans covering how to handle any disease incident must be held by the responsible person. All litter and manure must be contained and disposed of correctly so as to prevent any possible spread of disease. Cages, crates and baskets must be cleaned and disinfected before and after use. Where a pigeon race lasts more than 48 hours then the birds should be placed into isolation for at least three weeks after the race and be subject to regular inspection. Falconers must thoroughly wash their forearms, with soap and water, after the event and before handling other birds.

“All of these details can be found on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk.”

Kevin Law, principal trading standards officer said: “Clearly the public remain concerned about the threats posed by avian influenza. In reality the risks have not significantly increased but all poultry and bird keepers must remain vigilant.

“Bird gatherings do provide the means for disease spread particularly if the birds have the disease in a sub-clinical (not obvious) form; this is why strict compliance with the conditions is so important. Most event organisers are responsible and they are fully aware of their obligations, but it only needs one person not to be careful and we could potentially have a disease problem. If anyone knows or suspects that a bird gathering is taking place then please give trading standards animal health a call on (01983) 823370.”

This briefing is in addition to the briefing note issued in November 2005, and covers the disease affecting birds and known as avian influenza but does NOT cover any human form of the disease.

Wild birds are known carriers of various strains of bird flu - also known as avian influenza - and could possibly bring the most dangerous H5N1 strain to Britain.

Tests have been carried out on more than 3,000 wild birds across the country, to see what strains of bird flu are being carried by the wild bird population. The results are being processed by Defra (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) but no reported cases are currently known.

Keepers are being advised to keep their birds away from wild birds and to feed and water them indoors. Keepers of free-range birds whose flocks normally live outdoors are being advised to make preparations to bring them indoors if necessary to protect them from infection by contact with wild birds or their faeces.

Under a newly adopted EU directive, anyone with 50 or more birds on commercial premises is obliged to register as a poultry keeper with Defra by the end of February. Smaller flocks can also be added on a voluntary basis. Poultry keepers are being informed about the disease and urged to look out for symptoms. Avian influenza is a "notifiable" disease, which means owners are obliged by law to report suspicion of infection to Defra.

Generally the restrictions apply to domestic poultry reared or kept commercially. If an infection is found in wild birds, as the law stands at present, there would be no restrictions brought into force.

If there is a confirmed infection in poultry, a declaratory order would be issued by the Secretary for State, and the movement of birds, litter and vehicles from the infected premises would be prohibited. The premises and its vehicles and equipment would undergo cleansing and disinfection. Birds that are diseased, suspected of being diseased or which have been exposed to infection would be slaughtered. Eggs would also be destroyed.

A three kilometre biosecure protection zone would be set up around the infected premises for at least 21 days. A wider ten kilometre surveillance zone would also be set up, within which vets would visit those keeping birds and search for signs of avian influenza. This zone would remain for at least 30 days. Poultry would have to be kept within their living quarters and local poultry markets, fairs and shows banned. Movement of poultry, eggs or carcasses is prohibited in both zones (except by major highway through the zone).

Keepers would be entitled to compensation for slaughtered birds found not to have been infected. Keepers of free-range birds forced to bring their birds undercover to protect them from infection would be allowed to keep their free-range status for 12 weeks.

Both Defra and Isle of Wight Council have contingency plans that detail their procedures in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza. The trading standards service, as the enforcement authority, would carry out a number of roles including ensuring that any movement restrictions were adhered to and that poultry was being kept under cover. Trading standards will be liaising closely with the State Veterinary Service (SVS) and Defra, who would take the lead in the eradication and control of the disease.

This disease is very different to foot and mouth in the way it is transmitted, and it is not generally envisaged that footpaths, country parks, etc will need to be closed to the public in the event of an outbreak. However, it is possible that those parts of any footpath directly crossing an infected area might be closed.

Senior Mangers in the council and other appropriate organisations will be regularly provided with information. The media will be used to keep the public informed of any significant developments.

If you think you have come across unusual numbers of deaths of wild birds, for example:

one or more swans or waterfowl;
Three or more birds of the same species;
5 or more birds of different species;

please contact the Defra helpline 08459 33 55 77.

The helpline will take details and decide whether to pass you on to the nearest veterinary laboratory agency (VLA). When contacting the Defra helpline please have as much information to hand as possible so that an initial assessment can be made. If you are passed on to a veterinary laboratory, they will decide whether an examination of the carcasses is required and will arrange collection.

Avoid any sort of contact, but if you must move or touch a dead wild bird you should follow the general guidelines below in order to minimise the risk of infection.

(NB –there are very few circumstances in which you may need to move a dead bird, unless the bird is laying in a sensitive area such as a playground.)

Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people including Salmonella and Campylobacter. To minimise the risk of infection, it is important to take simple hygienic precautions when handling the dead birds or any contaminated material:

1. Wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling the carcass (not latex).

2. Place the carcass in a suitable leak proof plastic bag, taking care not to contaminate the outside of this bag.

3. Seal the bag and place it in a second plastic bag.

4. Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag or in a separate plastic bag that should be sealed.

5. Wash the outside of the second plastic bag with soap and water or disinfectant.

6. If gloves are not available, a bag can be turned inside out and used as a makeshift glove, when the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be reverted and sealed. This should then be placed in a second plastic bag, which should be sealed and washed (as above).

7. Wash your hands, nails and forearms thoroughly with soap and water after handling the carcass. Do not eat or smoke until this has been done.

If there is obvious soiling of clothing, this should be physically cleaned and washed with soap and water.

DO NOT place dead bird carcasses in a freezer.

Although the UK is currently a disease free country and there are no known incidents of people catching the disease from wild birds, in the light of the health and safety guidance above it is always advisable to follow sensible hygiene procedures. These include washing hands thoroughly after filling and washing feeders.

(a) Keep bird feed and any standing drinking water free from contamination by wild birds and other animals. This might mean feeding and watering undercover.

(b) Look out for signs of disease. Visit the avian influenza homepage at http://www.defra.gov.uk/

(c) Make sure your premises are clean. Spilled feed, litter and standing water attract wild birds and vermin.

(d) To reduce the risk of infection, try to keep your birds separate from wild birds, waterfowl, pets and other animals. The best solution is to keep the birds inside a building such as a barn or outhouse, but where this is not possible an alternative such as a wire cage or other enclosure would reduce risk of infection. However, try to provide a cover so that faeces from wild birds cannot reach your birds.

(e) Keep visitors and their vehicles away from your birds as far as possible. If they must have access, make sure vehicles and equipment are clean.

(f) Make sure your clothes, footwear and hands are clean, before and after contact with birds. Any essential visitors should do the same.

(g) Avoid sharing equipment as this may spread diseases. If you do have to share, make sure it is cleansed and disinfected before and after use.

(h) Use a disinfectant that is approved by Defra under the Diseases of Poultry Order – it will be stated on the label.

(i) Be vigilant when purchasing new stock. Use reputable sources. Isolate new birds and birds you have taken off your premises (for example, to a show).

(j) If you suspect disease, act quickly and consult your vet. Avian influenza and Newcastle disease are notifiable diseases and must be reported to your local divisional veterinary manager at Reading, tel: 0118 392 506.

On the basis of current scientific evidence, the Food Standards Agency advises that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. This is because for people, the risk of catching the disease is from being in close contact with live poultry that have the disease and not through eating cooked poultry, game or eggs.

Susanna Freer, animal health inspector
(Isle of Wight Council)
Tel: (01983) 823370

(March 2006)