News

6 APRIL 2006

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN SCOTLAND

The Scottish Executive’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Charles Milne has confirmed that an unringed Mute swan which was found on the slipway of the harbour at Cellardyke, Anstruther in Fife, Scotland has tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. It has also been announced that the bird did have the deadly N1 strain.

The dead swan was reported on 29 March and after collection by officials it was received at the Reference Laboratory at Weybridge, Surrey on 31 March and preliminary results were announced on Wednesday 5 April.

The swan was found through routine surveillance, which has been ongoing for several months. 50 birds a day are sent to Weybridge for routine testing, along with many others from abroad.

There is no indication that avian influenza is in domestic poultry.

However, movement restrictions on poultry in the 3 kilometre protected area, where the swan was found, along with the need to house birds has been implemented. The public are asked to control cats and dogs in the protected area also.

Outside the protection zone a 10 kilometre surveillance area has been set up. Currently it is believed that there are 9 large commercial poultry premises in the surveillance area and these are inspected for any sign of disease. If is stressed that currently no sign of disease has been found in domestic poultry. Inspections are also underway to see is there are any smaller units of poultry in the protection and surveillance areas that are not known to the Great Britain Poultry Register.

Charles Milne said :

“This is an important development. Bird keepers outside the protection zone should redouble their efforts to prepare for bringing their birds indoors if that becomes necessary. They must also review their biosecurity measures to ensure that all possible precautions have been taken.”

The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.

Defra, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly have reiterated the need for everyone to be vigilant and to report sightings of dead birds - especially waterfowl - to the Defra helpline 08459 335577 or the Police. The public is urged not to touch dead birds.

Exercise Hawthorn, the UK exercise for avian influenza which was being carried out 5 - 6 April has been brought to an end by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds.

Debby Reynolds said :

“I brought to an end the national avian influenza exercise to ensure that we can bring all our resources to bear on this situation. We are already in a high state of readiness and I have every confidence that officials north and south of the border will work together to manage this incident successfully.”
 

NEWS ARCHIVE

10 FEB 06 : GREAT BRITAIN POULTRY REGISTER