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Avian influenza |
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Your questions answered
Avian influenza (bird flu) has been much in the headlines, especially after the discovery of highly pathogenic H5N1 in turkeys in East Anglia in November 2007. Some people have become nervous about the birds they previously enjoyed watching in their gardens. We bring you reassurance and the facts you need to know. Should I be worried about bird flu in the UK?H5N1 avian influenza was detected in the UK in early April 2006, in one dead whooper swan, near Fife. In February 2007, an outbreak was confirmed at a turkey farm in Holton, Suffolk, the probable cause of which was through imported meat products from Hungary. In November 2007, H5N1 was found in turkeys in East Anglia, and the risk to human health is still considered to be very small. There is only one recorded instance where a human case may have resulted from contact with infected wild birds. The overwhelming majority of the 335 human cases worldwide (as of 12 November 2007) have resulted from close contact with infected domestic poultry. The disease is currently not easily transmitted from human to human. One unfortunate consequence of the hysteria that has surrounded this crisis is that some people have become nervous of the wild birds around them. This is very sad, especially as there is really no need. The birds around our homes and gardens have long been a source of considerable pleasure to many people. There is no reason not to continue to enjoy them. Is it safe to feed the birds?Wild birds are incredibly important in the lives of many people. The RSPB values this special relationship and encourages everyone to enjoy feeding garden birds. It is extremely unlikely that avian influenza could be transmitted to people by feeding birds in the garden, but good hygiene at bird feeding stations is sensible, in any case. Follow the links to the right for further advice. It is, of course, sensible to wash your hands thoroughly after feeding ducks or other birds. It is advisable not to let birds feed out of your hands, and again, to wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with bird droppings, especially before eating or drinking. Is it safe to visit the countryside?The government has made it very clear that the countryside does not need to be closed down because of bird flu. Contingency plans are in place, and these have been successfully initiated to contain and stamp out previous outbreaks of bird flu. Last modified: 23 November 2007
What about birds nesting around my house and garden?We understand that in some European countries, people have been destroying nests of white storks, and the globally threatened lesser kestrel. The risk to human health from wild birds is so remote that we think such action is unnecessary and will result in a serious loss of nest sites for these birds. Calls for culls of wild birds or disturbance measures to prevent migrant birds from nesting have also been made elsewhere in the world. These measures will not have the desired effect and may make the situation worse by dispersing potentially infected individuals. They could also have a serious, and totally pointless, impact on wild bird populations. 'We very much hope that the UK public will continue to value wild birds, and will not attempt to prevent birds nesting' We very much hope that the UK public will continue to value wild birds, and will not attempt to prevent birds nesting, either by removing nest sites before the birds begin to breed, or by disturbing the birds or their nests once they have begun. This sort of activity will not provide protection from bird flu and could be serious for the birds. In the case of nests already in use (this includes nests being built or repaired), it is an offence to disturb or destroy them. People should adopt the simple precaution of avoiding bird carcasses and exercising the good hygiene measures described above. Some of the birds that nest around our homes and gardens need your help. The Homes for Wildlife pages are full of practical advice that you can follow to help birds and other wildlife in your garden. Click on the link on the right to find out more. What is the risk of cats catching and transmitting H5N1 avian influenza?The H5N1 avian influenza virus in its current form does not transmit easily from birds to mammals. However, a few cats have caught the disease through eating infected birds in Asia and three cats were found to be infected with H5N1 on the island of Rügen in the German Baltic. These individuals were in an area where hundreds of wild waterbirds had died of the disease. The risk of a domestic cat in the UK contracting the disease is remote, especially as the vast majority of garden birds killed by cats are not those species most at risk of carrying the disease. The RSPB, along with the RSPCA, the British Veterinary Association and the Feline Advisory Bureau, urges people not to abandon pet cats (or any other pets); this would be cruel and may have an additional impact on wildlife. As always, people should observe good hygiene with respect to pet animals, and should illness present itself, consult their veterinary surgeon at the earliest opportunity. For more information, please visit the links on the right-hand side. Last modified: 23 November 2007 |
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White storks at nest in Andalucia, Spain - Katie Fuller
Flower borders in front of RSPB The Lodge reserve, Bedfordshire - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1999_0503_009 )
Family Birdwatching through living room window - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Nestbox on tree, RSPB Wood of Cree reserve - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2006_11968_0009 )
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)