What surveillance is being carried out?
Surveillance of wildfowl for avian influenza is one of our best defences against incursion of the disease, as it gives early warning of its presence. An analysis of locations of poultry farms and wildfowl sites across GB has led to the identification of 'priority areas', where the risk of domestic poultry contracting avian influenza from migratory wildfowl is judged to be higher than in the rest of the country. Targeted surveillance based on this analysis and on recent experience is being carried out as part of a GB-wide programme, and this feeds into wider EU surveillance work.
With the arrival of the migration period, surveillance has been stepped up across GB since the beginning of September. There are four strands of surveillance used to provide comprehensive coverage of live and dead wild birds across Scotland. These are:
i) Public reporting of bird deaths in the priority areas (and mass mortality events across the country)
The public reporting of dead wild birds is focussed in the priority areas across GB, and on species considered to be most likely to play a role in the spread of avian influenza. The priority areas ( www.defra.gov.uk) in Scotland are Angus, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Dundee City, Falkirk, West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.
The public are being asked to report dead ducks, geese, swans, gulls and waders found in these areas, i.e. birds with webbed feet, long legs or long necks. If dead birds of these species are found and you are within a survey area, you may wish to contact the GB Wild Bird Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 . Callers should choose the 'avian influenza' option which will be open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. An assessment will be made and a decision taken on whether the bird will be collected for testing.
Note that not all birds will be collected and tested. The likelihood of a wild bird that is found dead being infected with avian influenza is extremely small. Dead wild birds are tested because they are a convenient source for sampling, and not because their deaths are expected to be due to avian influenza.
Outside the priority areas, the causes of deaths of large numbers birds are investigated. Post mortem examination of birds in incidents where 10 or more birds are found dead in the same location and at the same time will be carried out. These incidents should also be reported to the Defra helpline.
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ii) Routine scanning of selected wildfowl sites for dead birds
During the autumn migration period, wildfowl sites across Scotland are being regularly surveyed for dead birds, some of which are sampled for testing. Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH) co-ordinate this work in partnership with the Royal Sociey for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB), the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust ( WWT), the Scottish Wildlife Trust ( SWT), East Lothian Council and Midlothian Council, where they own or manage the sites involved.
iii) Sampling from shot birds and from live caught birds,
Wild birds shot by members of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation ( BASC) at a number of sites are being tested for avian influenza. In Scotland the focus is on sites on the east coast of Scotland. The birds are shot as part of normal wildfowling activities. Water birds caught for ringing are also being sampled at a site in Scotland.
iv) Plans for surveillance of additional sites in the event of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
A list of the main wildfowl sites where extra surveillance could be carried out in the event of an outbreak of disease in Scotland has been put together by SNH.
The Scottish Government is extremely grateful for the participation of all the organisations involved in the wild bird surveillance programme.
Testing of Samples
Samples taken from the birds are sent to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency at Weighbridge for testing to screen for the presence of avian influenza. A summary of the results of UK surveys of wild bird populations can be viewed at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/wildbirds/survey-results.htm
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