Ten commonly asked questions about Bird Flu

Today

What is Bird Flu?
Bird Flu or Avian Influenza is a highly infectious disease caused by an Influenza type A virus that normally infects birds. The disease in birds can manifest itself in a number of different forms ranging from relatively mild to severe. Certain wild birds, particularly waterfowl, commonly carry the milder forms.

There are many different sub-types of avian influenza. In birds we are mainly concerned with H5 and H7 subtypes. It is known that the H5 and H7 virus subtypes can mutate into the highly pathogenic form that causes serious illness and deaths in birds, although in water fowl the disease may not be apparent.

A dead whooper swan found in Cellardyke Harbour in Fife in April was found to have died from the H5N1 strain, the UKs' first case of H5N1 avian flu.

What do I do if I find a dead bird?
If you find one or more dead swans/wild fowl (ducks and geese), more than three dead birds of the same species or more than five dead birds of different species in the same place do not touch them but contact the helpline at 08459 33 55 77

Currently the helpline is available 6am to 10pm, every day. You will be asked for details of your finding and its location.
Can humans be infected?
Avian influenza is a disease of birds. There is a very low risk of it being transmitted to human, although there have been some cases reported. The World Health Organisation says risk is 'almost entirely confined' to people who have close contact with infected domestic poultry.
Is it safe to eat poultry and eggs?
The Food Standards Agency has advised that eating properly cooked poultry products etc is not considered to be a risk. It also advises that the risk of infection through handling poultry meat is very low. Any risk can be minimised by hygienic handling of raw poultry meat. There are no substantiated reports of people becoming infected through these routes.
How much of a risk is H5N1 to the general public as a whole?
The risk of avian flu to the general public is extremely low as the H5N1 strain of avian flu cannot be easily contracted by humans.

Does confirmation of H5N1 avian flu in the UK make a flu pandemic more likely?
The expert view is that the world is overdue for the next pandemic. The concern with the H5N1 virus is that that could mutate into a strain that is easily transmissible between humans. As a public health measure to minimise the theoretical public health risk of avian influenza mixing with seasonal flu and possibly mutating into a pandemic flu strain, poultry workers in Scotland are being offered free flu vaccination.

Should I keep dogs and cats indoors?
There is no legal requirement to keep cats and dogs indoors but careful owners might wish to take the precaution of keeping dogs on leads and cats indoors if they live in a Protection Zone.
Can I be vaccinated against bird flu?
As a public health measure to minimise the theoretical public health risk of avian influenza mixing with seasonal flu and possibly mutating into a pandemic flu strain, poultry workers in Scotland are being offered free flu vaccination. The level of risk is insufficient to warrant extending that to the general population.
What about vaccination of domestic poultry?
Vaccination of domestic poultry reduces bird mortality, but does not prevent birds becoming infected and potentially passing it on. France and Holland are the only two EU countries to opt for it. All others use monitoring, isolation and localised culling as control methods.
Can I go to the countryside?
There is no restriction on human movement at all. The risk from bird flu is no higher than it was before the dead swan was found in Fife.