Avian Influenza
Latest News:
The latest Joint Committee
Position Statement (
updated 11
January 2008) provides more information on the
contribution that JNCC is making to assist the UK government -
this statement is frequently updated in response to the
changing situation. The statement provides links to key sources of
information – the most important of which is
Defra Animal
Health, which provides a broad range of information and updates
on avian influenza.
New guidance from the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza has summarised practical
lessons learnt from outbreaks of infection by highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1. A recent workshop brought together a
wide range of international experience in dealing with different
aspects of H5N1 infections. The
conclusions
and recommendations from that meeting contain much useful
guidance.
Background:
Avian influenza is widespread in populations of wild birds, but
typically has low lethality. A highly virulent form of the virus
(Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - HPAI - of the form H5N1)
emerged in south-east Asia in 2003 and spread to Kazahkstan and
southern Russia by early 2005. Since then, HPAI H5N1 has spread
into the Middle East, parts of Europe, and west Africa. The
means of spread are likely to have involved trade in infected
poultry, poultry products and cage birds and movements of infected
wild birds, and there remains concern that all of these agencies
may further spread HPAI.
In late June 2007, HPAI H5N1 was confirmed
in commercial poultry in the Czech Republic and a series of
outbreaks in poultry and cases of infection in wild birds
followed rapidly in Germany, France and the Czech
Republic. In response, Defra convened the
Ornithological Experts Panel (OEP), of which JNCC is a member, to
advise it on the possible further spread of HPAI H5N1 by wild
birds. More information on current cases in Europe and the
advice of the OEP on migratory birds are available on
the Defra
Avian Influenza website, especially in the
Qualitative Risk Assessment (QRA).
Information from long-term monitoring schemes, such as the
BTO/WWT/RSPB/JNCC Wetland Bird Survey and the BTO National Ringing
Scheme (funded in part by JNCC), has been crucial in formulating
advice. The work of Wetlands International, which is
also supported in part by JNCC, has also been crucially important
for providing information at European and Global levels.
Avian influenza and wild birds:
FAQs. For more information refer to the
Defra website.
Guidance
on what to do if you find a dead bird
The Defra website details
what to do if you find a dead bird. Avoid touching dead
birds with bare hands or allowing children or pets to touch
them.