Avian Flu - Update

Essential information to protect you and your flock

As we're all aware, avian flu in general and the H5N1 strain in particular dominated the news a couple of years back. As control measures seemed to be slowing or stopping the spread of this disease, the concern abated as well. But with the recent announcement that three swans in Dorset have confirmed cases of the H5N1 strain of avian flu the very real concerns about this virus are once again on people's minds. As most of our members live closely with companion or aviary birds, and many of us feed wild birds on a regular basis, we felt it might be valuable to discuss once again some of the biosecurity issues we should bear in mind to protect our birds and ourselves from unnecessary risks. Whilst this may be a timely reminder about such issues for our UK members, we all should of course be practicing sound biosecurity around birds, both captive and wild.

Read the latest UK avian flu headlines...

DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs - UK) avian flu update

BBC News - Avian Flu Update

10 Easy steps to avoid bird flu for you and your birds

For captive birds

1. If you have captive birds, bring them inside or otherwise completely isolate them from all wild birds and other captive birds. Practice sound biosecurity: do not bring in new birds or allow your birds to have contact with any outside birds, captive or wild. If possible, have your captive birds tested for avian flu by your local veterinarian. Keep detailed records of testing also a specific list of biosecurity measures you have in place for you and your birds.

General precautions

2. Avoid feeding all wild birds; including the use of bird feeders and feeding ducks or pigeons in city parks or town squares. If you do choose to take this risk, exercise extreme caution (gloves, masks, aprons, etc.) when handling the bird feeders and waterers. Keep all wild bird food, equipment, and clothing well away from your captive bird areas and equipment.

3. Exercise caution in public places frequented by city pigeons and sparrows, avoiding concentrations of birds and areas where they feed and sleep. Take careful note of places where bird faeces accumulates on streets, sidewalks, cars, etc. as an indicator of roosting locations (the main entry sidewalk at London's Heathrow, for instance, often has a prominent accumulation of pigeon faeces awaiting those stepping out of their cars).

4. As summer approaches, avoid bathing and swimming in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas with high concentrations of waterbirds: ducks, swans, geese and gulls in particular.

5.Avoid visiting farms or households with poultry, particularly if the birds are housed outside. If you must visit, take the preventative measures described above when in direct contact with birds or holding areas.

6. Avoid all direct contact with wild birds such as hunting, handling and eating. This is especially true of waterfowl which are more likely to be eaten and may be among the more common carriers of this disease.

7. If you find a dead bird or one that appears to be sick, do not approach it or touch it. If you have one or more outdoor cats which may consume wild birds, note that this strain of avian flu has infected cats in Asia and Europe, although there is no evidence that the cats have passed the virus on to humans.

For consumption of poultry products

8. If you choose to eat turkey, duck, or chicken meat, be sure that it is well cooked prior to eating. Commercially produced eggs should already be disinfected prior to shipment, but take extra precautions after handling and cook thoroughly before eating. If you acquire eggs directly from chickens, from a neighbour, or from free-range sources, take the same precautions you would if handling the birds themselves.

9. If you choose to slaughter birds for food, wear protective rubber gloves and glasses, a waterproof apron, and a disposable mask, which fits closely over your nose and mouth (ideally rated N95 or better).

10. If preparing raw poultry or other bird meat for the table, wear gloves and a mask during preparation, and after preparation thoroughly wash and disinfect all knifes, containers, cutting surfaces which may have had contact with any uncooked bird meat.

These guidelines are meant to be useful in the context of prevention: anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles, etc. - should seek medical assistance immediately.