Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Changes to GB wild bird survey for Avian Influenza
Defra has today announced changes to the way it identifies wild birds that may be carrying avian influenza. The GB surveillance strategy for 2008-2009 will help identify any change in risk to poultry and other kept birds from avian influenza (AI) in wild birds ("the Survey").
The changes, which come into immediate effect, are being brought in as a result of increased scientific knowledge and practical experience in handling incidents of avian influenza.
Under the changes, which have been recommended by epidemiologists, discussed with expert ornithologists and endorsed by the Animal Disease Policy Group, skilled wild bird ecologists and wardens will make year-round patrols in designated reserves. They will screen and assess both live and dead wild birds, in particular gulls, ducks, geese, swans and waders, for avian influenza testing.
In addition, members of the public are from now on being asked to report incidents only where they find 10 or more dead birds in the same place and at the same time.
Birds shot as part of normal wildfowling activities will not be sampled because the extended warden patrols will provide the coverage required. Other methods of sampling, including sampling of shot birds may still be used if needed in future, for example if a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds resulted in a Wild Bird Control Area being declared. The likelihood of a wild bird found dead being infected with avian influenza remains very small. Dead wild birds are screened because they are a useful source for sampling and not because their death is likely to be due to avian influenza.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, said:
"The Wild Bird Survey has operated since October 2005 and we are able to improve its focus as our scientific knowledge and experience of AI incidents increases. I am confident that this change will enable us to identify any increased risk to domestic poultry from wild birds through better targeting of our surveillance effort. We will continue to keep the survey under review and update it when necessary".
If members of the public are concerned about dead wild birds that they have found, they should follow the guidance on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/wildbirds/index.htm#reporting
Notes to editors
1. The Survey for AI in Wild Birds commenced in October 2005 and became more targeted in 2006 based on increased scientific knowledge.
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