Confirmed H5N1 avian influenza in wild swans in Dorset

10 January 2008

The Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today confirmed highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza among swans in the Chesil Beach area in Dorset.

A Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area are being established by Defra around the premises, encompassing Chesil Beach and Portland Bill, and the shape of these is based on expert ornithological advice. This is to prevent the potential for further spread to neighbouring flocks and/or farms.

Despite this incident the current level of risk to humans from H5N1 avian influenza remains extremely low. Nonetheless, any possibility of exposure is taken very seriously and the Health Protection Agency is working closely with Defra and local NHS partners to ensure that all the necessary actions are being taken to protect those people who may have been exposed to the sick or dead birds.

These actions include the offering of antiviral drugs and seasonal influenza vaccine where appropriate to people who have been in close contact with the infected swans.

Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a contagious disease of birds caused by viruses, that normally only infects wild birds and, rarely, other species including domestic poultry. Evidence from past outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza shows that the virus does not easily infect people and there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

The current level of risk to humans from avian flu is extremely low and there is no need for local residents to restrict or change their everyday activity. Most human H5N1 infections so far have occurred through direct contact with live or dead infected poultry or very rarely via wild birds.

Members of the public who find dead or sick birds (three or more of the same species or five or more of different species in the same place) should not approach the birds and are asked to notify Defra on 08459 33 55 77 – see www.defra.gov.uk for operating hours. This helpline can also provide further information on avian influenza.

Notes to editors:

For further information contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on 020 8327 6055 /7098/7097/6690 or out of office hours on 020 8200 4400.
For more information on avian flu, please see www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/influenza/avian/default.htm
Further information on avian flu in poultry is available on the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk
There have been no cases linked to the consumption of properly cooked meat and eggs, for further guidance http://www.food.gov.uk/
Defra advice is to not handle dead wild birds where possible as dead animals always carry a disease risk. If you do have to handle a single dead bird follow simple hygiene precautions: these can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/wildbirds/index.htm

Last reviewed: 29 December 2008