Everything you need to know about Avian Influenza

WHAT IS AVIAN INFLUENZA (AI) 

Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds.  In rare cases, it can affect humans.   The risk of the virus increases during the winter months.  Within the UK the most likely cause of AI is due to wildfowl migrating, this includes ducks, geese and swans, with the wildfowl passing the disease to birds within the UK. 

If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey when you are out walking, you should report them to the Defra helpline: 03459 33 55 77.  Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick wild birds that you find. 

HOW IS AI AFFECTING THE EGG INDUSTRY 

Unfortunately there is a high mortality rate for any birds within the UK that become infected with AI. 

WHAT CAN BE DONE 

Any member of the public that keeps poultry in their gardens such as chickens and turkeys are being requested to keep their birds inside to prevent them becoming infected by the wild birds. 

Farmers are kept up to date of any outbreaks within the area and they must abide by the rules should the Government require farmers to keep their birds “housed” – this means to keep the birds inside the chickens shed to protect them from catching the virus.  Also there are strict biosecurity rules in place to reduce cross infection. 

IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CHECK ON THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITES UNDER THE CATEGORY OF AVIAN INFLUENZA, THIS WILL GIVE YOU UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUES – THIS INFORMATION CHANGES ON A REGULAR BASIS.