Bird flu updates

Defra publishes report into H7N7 outbreak in Oxfordshire

2008-06-17T13:47:00Z

Defra has today published its epidemiology report into the case of H7N7 avian influenza in chickens on premises near Banbury, in Oxfordshire. The source of infection has not been identified, with two hypotheses under investigation. These are infection from other domestic poultry premises and from wildlife in contact with the infected premises.

The report states that wild bird activity around the infected premises was low, and rates the risk of wild ducks or other waterfowl being the source of infection as low. This reflects the time of year and the absence of any major water features nearby. Samples taken from mallards introduced to a small pond on the farm for shooting have tested negative. There has been no virus detected in other wild birds or domestic poultry in the vicinity. Further investigations of both potential sources of infection are ongoing.

The RSPB continues to work closely with the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and others to advise Defra on the actions required to investigate and manage the outbreak. We have curtailed RSPB fieldwork within the control zones to eliminate the very small chance that such activity could spread the disease.

H7 avian influenza in Oxfordshire

2008-06-04T15:36:00Z

Highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza has been confirmed in chickens on premises near Banbury, in Oxfordshire. The precise identity of the virus is yet to be determined. Contingency plans have been activated by Defra, and an investigation into the cause of the outbreak is underway. Given that at this time of year, wildfowl are largely absent from the area, it is highly unlikely that wild birds are connected to the outbreak.

3km and 10km Control Zones have been established around the infected premises. Inside these zones, poultry movements are restricted, and poultry within the inner 3km Zone must be housed or otherwise isolated to prevent contact with wild birds.

The RSPB is working closely with the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and others to advise Defra on the actions required to investigate and manage the outbreak. We have also curtailed RSPB fieldwork within the control zones to eliminate the very small chance that such activity could spread the disease.

Defra publish report into H5N1 outbreak at Abbotsbury

2008-01-30T13:56:00Z

Defra has today published its preliminary epidemiology report into the case of H5N1 avian influenza in mute swans at the Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset. Though the source of infection has not been identified, one hypothesis is that wild birds moving from the continent may have carried the virus to the UK.

The H5N1 virus is believed to have evolved in poultry and, worldwide, it has been transmitted in a number of ways, including movements of poultry and poultry products, the trade in captured wild birds (now banned in the European Union), direct human transfer and contact between wild birds and poultry.

Although there are both mute swans and other waterfowl present at the Swannery, the virus has only been found in six swans found dead. Samples from 60 live trapped swans and faeces from other waterfowl have tested negative. There has been no virus detected to other wild birds or domestic poultry in the vicinity.

There is much more we need to know about avian influenza in the UK, and the birds at Abbotsbury Swannery present a unique opportunity to increase our understanding of the transmission and impacts of this virus. Testing live swans for the disease was a good first step. We will support efforts by Defra to monitor progress of the virus amongst the swans at the Swannery over the coming weeks.

Surveillance for avian influenza continues on RSPB nature reserves across the UK, in order to ensure that the poultry industry and other interests have the earliest possible warning of new outbreaks. We are grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage for recognising our efforts and making a significant contribution towards our monitoring costs in Scotland.

Further swans test positive for H5N1

2008-01-18T16:55:00Z

Defra has confirmed that a fourth mute swan, found dead in the vicinity of Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset, has tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza. The BBC is reporting that a fifth swan has also tested positive for the disease. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn MP, commented in a statement that additional cases were not unexpected, and announced that sampling of live swans at the Swannery will begin in order to investigate whether any others are infected.

The ongoing epidemiological investigation has not yet identified the source of infection but suggests that the strain of the virus is very similar to that identified in cases in the Czech Republic, Romania and Poland during mid to late 2007. It is less similar to the strain identified in the outbreak near Redgrave, Suffolk, last November.

Enhanced surveillance continues on RSPB reserves in Dorset, Devon and Somerset, and we continue to work closely with the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and others to advise Defra on the actions required to investigate and manage the outbreak.

Up-to-date information can be found on Defra's website: www.defra.gov.uk

H5N1 avian influenza confirmed in Dorset

2008-01-10T14:31:00Z

The RSPB will increase its surveillance of wild birds on its wetland nature reserves in Dorset, Devon and Somerset in response to the news that the avian flu virus H5N1 has been detected in mute swans from the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Director of Conservation, is clear that vigilance is the first priority: 'Since H5N1 bird flu first appeared as a threat to birds in the UK, the RSPB has been at the forefront of monitoring wild birds - this vital work will continue'.

'Frustratingly we are facing yet another outbreak of bird flu, this time the circumstances are consistent with the disease arriving in wild birds. Worldwide, this virus has been transmitted via a variety of routes only one of which is through the movement of wild birds. Other include poultry movements, direct human transfer and the wild bird trade, now banned in the European Union'.

'We simply don't know how this virus has arrived in Dorset; it is unlikely to have involved the swans directly as this population is highly sedentary'.

H5N1 disease control restrictions lifted

2007-12-21T13:45:00Z

Defra has lifted the surveillance and restriction zones put in place following the recent outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in Suffolk. The outbreak was confined to the two premises and, with no further outbreaks, all restrictions on bird gatherings and movements of poultry and poultry meat have been lifted.

During the outbreak, staff on RSPB nature reserves in Norfolk and Suffolk increased four-fold the frequency of surveillance patrols for dead birds, reporting all findings to Defra. Patrol frequency has now reverted to that observed before the outbreak. This work continues to be undertaken at a significant cost to the RSPB (see post of 19 April 2007)

We now await the publication in the New Year of Defra's final epidemiology report into the outbreak. The preliminary report concluded that there was no evidence of poultry movements being linked to the outbreak. Neither was there any evidence that wild birds were implicated even though the report concluded that ‘infection by wild birds could not be ruled out'. We expressed our serious concerns about this conclusion directly to the Acting Chief Vet, Fred Landeg, along with criticism of Defra's inability to enforce bird exclusion measures at the infected premises in order to reduce the risk of transmission to wild birds. We continue to advise Defra and its agencies on the lessons that need to be learned, in particular the need to take rapid action to protect wild birds from infection when free-range poultry are infected.

Defra trying to blame wild birds

2007-11-29T14:21:00Z

Defra is today trying to blame wild birds rather than poor biosecurity for the bird flu outbreak in Suffolk.

Defra's preliminary epidemiological report, published on its website, ignores the likelihood that one infected commercial turkey or duck brought the disease to the farm.

Defra also failed to take action quickly enough to prevent the potential spread of the virus into wild birds after its discovery. Last Friday in public, and more than a week earlier in private, the RSPB and other experts urged the government to plough and disinfect soil where the virus could still be thriving, and put in place bird scaring measures to keep wild birds away, yet these measures were only employed yesterday.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Conservation Director, said: 'There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that wild birds are to blame for bird flu in Suffolk. A migrating bird could have carried the disease here without showing symptoms but imported poultry could have done exactly the same.

'Defra has stepped up its monitoring of wild birds in the area and has unearthed nothing to say that wild birds are the carriers. The government openly admits that biosecurity at the farm is poor. It has been poor ever since bird flu was found and there is no reason to think it was any better before the outbreak.'

'There have been no cases of bird flu in wild birds in the UK or western Europe since August and the source of the Suffolk outbreak remains a mystery. It is staggering that Defra has taken almost three weeks to take action to prevent wild birds becoming the latest victims of the disease.

'If Defra really believed wild birds were implicated, then its delay in implementing bird scaring measures at the infected farm is shocking and bizarre. Defra and the poultry industry should be doing more to protect wild birds from coming into contact with infected farmed birds.'

The Defra report can be downloaded from their website (PDF, 573Kb).

Wild birds still at risk from bird flu

2007-11-23T16:19:00Z

The cause of the bird flu outbreak in Suffolk remains unknown but carriage by wild birds seems increasingly unlikely.

The RSPB is urging Defra to immediately put in place stringent measures to prevent wild birds picking up the virus from the farms where the disease was found.

Dr Mark Avery, Conservation Director, said: 'Defra must make sure there is absolutely no chance of the virus spreading into wild birds. It could still be there in the soil where birds like rooks, crows, starlings and pigeons could be foraging for food.

'It seems less and less likely that wild birds brought this disease here and Defra and the land owners must ensure that wild birds do not end up as victims of this outbreak.'

There are a number of measures necessary to minimise the chances of the bird flu virus surviving. These include disinfecting and ploughing land and keeping wild birds away from affected farms.

Dr Avery said: 'Efficient bird scaring is the key. It will not be enough to use deterrents that birds will quickly get used to.'

H5N1 confirmed at second premises

2007-11-19T16:45:00Z

H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in turkeys on premises near Thetford, Norfolk. The site was identified last week as a 'Dangerous Contact' of the first infected premises near Diss, Suffolk, so culling of the birds is already complete. A 3km Protection Zone has been placed around the premises on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and the existing 10km Surveillance Zone has been extended. A wider Restricted Zone covers the whole of Suffolk and most of Norfolk.

H5N1 Avian Influenza in Suffolk

2007-11-13T16:30:00Z

The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been confirmed in turkeys on premises near Diss on the Norfolk/ Suffolk border. The premises also house ducks and geese. Contingency plans have been activated, and Defra has confirmed that all birds on the premises will be slaughtered.

A 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone have been established around the premises. Inside these zones, poultry movements are restricted and all birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds. A wider Restricted Zone has also been established, covering much of Norfolk and the whole of Suffolk. This also requires the isolation of poultry from wild birds. Poultry movements within this zone can take place, but movements are not permitted out of the new zone at present.

The RSPB continues to play an active part in Defra’s targeted surveillance programme for avian influenza, with nature reserves across England, Scotland and Wales contributing regular information.

There have been no cases of avian influenza in wild birds on the near continent since the middle of August.

Innocent until proven guilty

2007-11-13T16:08:00Z

Wild birds were blamed last February when bird flu was discovered at a Bernard Matthews farm in Suffolk.

Those claims never rang true - migrating birds were on their way out rather than on their way in - and so it proved.

Claims that wild birds are responsible for this week's outbreak may also prove too hasty. Most migrating birds have arrived for the winter and no dead wild birds have been found to be carrying bird flu.

Dr Mark Avery, Conservation Director of the RSPB, said: 'If migrating wild birds were carrying bird flu, their corpses would have been found north and east of the UK, the routes that migrating wildfowl take. But there have been no recent reports of wild birds dying of bird flu in the countries on their migration routes.

'Jumping to conclusions over the source of bird flu could blind us to courses of action that should be taken. We can't rule out wild birds as carriers but we're not even close to knowing that claim is true.'

H5 Avian Influenza in Suffolk

2007-11-12T17:33:00Z

H5 avian influenza has been confirmed in turkeys on premises near Diss on the Norfolk/ Suffolk border. The precise identity of the virus is yet to be confirmed. The premises also house ducks and geese. Contingency plans have been activated, and Defra has confirmed that all birds on the premises will be slaughtered.

A 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone are being established around the premises. Inside these zones, poultry movements will be restricted and all birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds.

The RSPB continues to play an active part in Defra’s targeted surveillance programme for avian influenza, with nature reserves across England, Scotland and Wales contributing regular information.

There have been no cases of avian influenza in wild birds on the near continent since the middle of August.

H5N1 is confirmed in France

2007-07-05T10:14:00Z

Tests have confirmed that three Mute Swans found dead in eastern France were positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The birds were found dead in a pond near the town of Assenoncourt in the Moselle region. These are the first cases of H5N1 in France since early 2006 and follow on from recent cases in Germany and the Czech republic.

H5N1 confirmed in Germany

2007-06-26T12:36:00Z

On 25 June 2007, it was confirmed that H5N1, the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, has been found in six wild birds (mute swans and a Canada goose) in Nuremberg, south Germany. Protection and surveillance zones have been established in accordance with the disease control measures required under EU legislation.

Low pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wales

2007-05-25T08:29:00Z

A low pathogenic avian influenza H7N2 has been confirmed on a small farm located at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Cerrigydrudion in Conwy, north Wales

15 Rhode Island Red chickens were brought onto the farm on 7 May and one bird died on 8 May. By 17 May, 10 of the birds had died. Vets were called and the disease was confirmed. 30 other birds and two geese have been slaughtered as a precaution.

GB and Wales contingency plans have been activated. In line with this, the farm has been placed under restriction and a 1km restriction zone has been placed around the infected premises. Within this zone, birds and bird products cannot be moved, bird gatherings can only take place under licence from Animal Health.