Avian flu

Poultry Keepers - if you have a commercial flock of more than 50 birds you will need to register.

This information covers the disease affecting birds and known as Avian Influenza but does NOT cover any human form of the disease.

 

Latest news

Please check the Defra website for the latest news

 

Wild bird screening

Defra screen wild birds for H5N1 avian flu and test 3 main groups of wild birds, they are:

• Live ( which are then released)
• Shot (as part of legal wild fowling activities)
• Certain species of dead wild birds found in designated areas - KENT IS NOT A DESIGNATED AREA

The designated areas have been selected where there are higher numbers of migrating waterfowl and larger poultry populations.

The investigation of unusually high numbers of dead wild birds will continue. This is now known as a "mass mortality event" and Defra will test "die offs" of 10 or more birds of any species.

Reports of a mass mortality can be made to the Defra helpline (08459 33 55 77) or the regional VLA laboratory at Weighbridge (01932 34111). If you call the Defra helpline please choose the Avian Influenza option. Please make it clear to the helpline that the call relates to the wildlife disease survey for "mass mortality events" in birds, since this is a separate survey.

Further information can be found on the Defra website.

 

What to do if you come across dead wild birds

Reporting incidents
If you come across unusually high number of dead wild birds, that is 10 or more birds of any species (this is known as a "mass mortality event") you can report it on the Defra helpline (08459 33 55 77) or to the regional VLA laboratory at Weybridge (01932 34111).

If you call the Defra helpline please choose the Avian Influenza option. Please make it clear to the helpline that the call relates to the wildlife disease survey for "mass mortality events" in birds, since this is a separate survey.

Health and Safety
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. (We can think of very few circumstances in which you may need to move a dead bird but the following are examples. Firstly if you need to keep the dead bird for collection by Defra, and second if 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 handle any food 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.

 

Garden birds

In the light of the H&S guidance above it is always advisable to follow sensible hygiene procedures. These include washing hands thoroughly after filling and washing feeders.

 

Is it safe to eat poultry or game?

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 cooked poultry, game or eggs. Poultry should always be fully cooked (that is no red/pink areas should be visible).

Kent County Council's role

Both Defra and Kent County Council have Contingency Plans that detail their procedures in the event of an outbreak of Avian Flu. 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 of Defra who are the lead authority.

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 infection outbreak. However, it is possible that those parts of any footpath directly crossing an infected area might be closed.

Senior Managers within the County Council, District Councils and other appropriate organisations will be regularly provided with information. The media will be used to keep the public informed of any significant developments.