Avian Flu

Following the recent outbreak in Suffolk the following information is still relevant.

If you find one or more dead swans/wild fowl (ducks and geese), more than 3 dead birds of the same species or more than 5 dead birds of different species, in the same place, you should contact the Defra Helpline (08459 33 55 77). Currently the Helpline is available between the following hours Monday - Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday - Sunday 9am to 6pm. You will be asked for details of your finding and its location.

Health and Safety
Avoid any sort of contact, but if you must move or touch a dead wild bird you should follow the general guidelines below in order to minimise the risk of infection. (NB - we can think of very few circumstances in which you may need to move a dead bird but the following are examples. Firstly if you need to keep the dead bird for collection by Defra, and second if the bird is laying in a sensitive area such as a playground.)

Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people including Salmonella and Campylobacter. To minimise the risk of infection, it is important to take simple hygienic precautions when handling the dead birds or any contaminated material:

1. Wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling the carcass (not latex).
2. Place the carcass in a suitable leak proof plastic bag, taking care not to contaminate the outside of this bag.
3. Seal the bag and place it in a second plastic bag.
4. Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag or in a separate plastic bag that should be sealed.
5. Wash the outside of the second plastic bag with soap and water or disinfectant.
6. If gloves are not available, a bag can be turned inside out and used as a makeshift glove, when the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be reverted and sealed. This should then be placed in a second plastic bag, which should be sealed and washed (as above).
7. Wash your hands, nails and forearms thoroughly with soap and water after handling the carcass. Do not handle any food until this has been done.

If there is obvious soiling of clothing, this should be physically cleaned and washed with soap and water.

Do not place dead bird carcasses in a freezer.

Food Safety
The Food Standards Agency considers that avian (bird) flu in Europe does not pose a food safety risk for UK customers.

For people, the risk of catching the disease comes from being in close contact with live poultry that have the disease, and not through eating poultry.

There have been no reports of people handling poultry meat getting infected. Cooking poultry thoroughly will destroy both bacteria and viruses. Poultry can include chicken, duck, goose, turkey and guinea fowl.

Futher information can be gained from the weblinks.