The Scottish Government

POULTRY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDER MEETING: 2PM ON 10 AUGUST 2006

Present:

Introduction

1. The main purpose of the meeting was to follow a commitment made earlier in the year to discuss with industry the delivery of human seasonal flu vaccine to poultry-workers, particularly taking into account experiences from the Spring, when this was rolled out for the first time. Before moving on to the main body of discussion, a brief overview was given about the latest avian influenza situation:

• The Autumn migration period will shortly begin and the risk of further global spread of avian influenza remains. However, the risk of immediate incursion into the UK is judged to remain low and the recently updated Veterinary Risk Assessment has noted that the UK is likely to get an early warning through identified outbreaks elsewhere in Europe.

• The new Avian Influenza Directive has been introduced into domestic legislation through the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006 and the Avian Influenza (Slaughter and Vaccination) (Scotland) Regulations 2006. These came into force on 1 July. It was also noted that the legislation used to respond to the finding of H5N1 in the Cellardyke swan would be amended in the light of a revised European Commission Decision. The new Decision learned from experience across Europe in response to Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza in wild birds and provides greater flexibility, subject to Veterinary Risk Assessment, in future responses.

• The updated Avian Influenza Contingency Plan will be published shortly. In addition to taking into account recent developments and learning points from Cellardyke, it also reflects the new legislation, in particular the now required response to any finding of H5 or H7 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza in domestic poultry.

Vaccination of Poultry Workers

2. It was noted that the recent recommendation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that poultry-workers should be considered a target group was a public rather than occupational health measure, aimed at minimising further the potential risk of re-assortment between human flu and avian flu. The seasonal flu campaign will start in the Autumn and priority in the delivery of vaccine will be given to at risk groups - e.g. elderly, care workers etc. Given these priorities and current vaccine supply, it is expected that human seasonal flu vaccine will be offered to poultry-workers around January.

3. It was noted the flexible definition was being taken with respect to poultry-workers. The JCVI had not recommended the offering of vaccine to families of poultry-workers but it was noted that family members who came into regular direct contact with poultry would be included within the target group. The CMO letter to Health Boards had highlighted the importance of GPs using their judgement in this area. It was agreed that communication would be an important pillar in the successful delivery of seasonal flu vaccine to poultry-workers. As part of that process, an information leaflet will be developed to provide to individual workers with the aim of encouraging informed consent, learning from the lesson of the Spring 2006 delivery of vaccine.

4. In addition to writing to individual poultry-keepers, communication will be delivered in co-ordination with the main companies who provide an invaluable mechanism of communicating with their staff. There was unanimous agreement that the presentation of the campaign for poultry-workers needed to be handled distinctively and separately from the general seasonal flu campaign. Targetted use of trade magazines and other literature would also be used to help disseminate the message.

Action point: a seasonal flu campaign leaflet for poultry-workers to be drafted and shared with employers and industry to comment.

5. As a side issue, it was noted that a leaflet focusing on explaining the issues of avian influenza and occupational health had been prepared. This was separate from any material to be prepared on human seasonal flu vaccine - though it was noted that this would be offered should there be an outbreak of avian influenza. A note was circulated and comments were invited from the industry on its usefulness and content.

Action point: industry members to provide comments to Nia Ball on the draft leaflet.

6. It was noted that sensitivity would be required in terms of how information was disseminated, given potential timing and other differences in the offering of human seasonal flu vaccine to poultry-workers across the UK.

7. In terms of the delivery of seasonal flu vaccine to poultry-workers, it was noted that this would be done by individual Boards across Scotland. The general expectation of delivery would be through GPs but there was discussion regarding the ability of individual companies' occupational health services to do this. Health Protection Scotland would reflect on the delivery points emerging from discussion when they meet with the individual Health Board Immunisation Co-ordinators later in the month. However, it was noted that the major factor affecting the process was the current system through which vaccine was made available.

Communications

8. Previous stakeholder meetings had highlighted the importance of appropriate and effective communication, not only with industry stakeholders but also with the public on avian influenza issues. The importance of this had recently been seen in terms of the media reaction to the finding of avian influenza in the Cellardyke swan and the importance of managing public and consumer perceptions. Industry welcomed the work which the Executive was doing on the two strands. Firstly, SEERAD was leading on information relating to disease control and poultry-keepers. This relates to work being done promoting best practice in areas such as biosecurity, but also stresses the importance of having targeted and relevant information on the stocks should another disease situation emerge. In parallel, Health Department was leading on managing public perception, particularly in terms of the differences between avian influenza and pandemic flu, which is often getting conflated in the media. Part of this package of work has been developed - e.g. online communications and pre-briefing of journalists' networks. Further material is also being developed for use in any future outbreak and would be deployed on a proportionate basis relative to the situation.

Any Other Business

9. It was noted that:

• From the start of September the 2006 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Survey in Domestic Poultry would be undertaken. This will be based on a random sample of poultry premises and for the first time this would not be restricted solely to free range flocks. Lessons had been learned from previous experience on the quality of the sample frame and it is hoped that through the poultry register we would see a significant improvement in the efficiency of the Survey this year;

• In addition to the ongoing exercise to designate poultry slaughterhouses under new Avian Influenza legislation, the exercise was now being extended to egg packing centres and individual centres were to be written to on 11 August;

• It was noted in principle to provide human seasonal flu vaccine to SSPCA Inspectors given their potential contact with wild birds or poultry. This is agreed in principle but would be considered in terms of logistics of delivery.

SEERAD
Animal Health and Welfare Division

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