The following is a summary of information published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The HPA is an independent body that protects the health and well-being of the population. The Agency plays a critical role in protecting people from infectious diseases and in preventing harm when hazards involving chemicals, poisons or radiation occur.

Summary

Avian Influenza (often referred to as 'Bird Flu') and previous pandemic flu strains are both caused by influenza virus type A. The current avian flu strain [H5N1] may lead to the next pandemic flu strain in the event that the virus mutates significantly to allow person-to person transmission.

Avian Flu

Avian Influenza is a viral disease that can probably infect most species of birds.

If you find die offs involving 10 or more dead birds of the same species or from different species in the same place you should contact the Defra Helpline 08459 33 55 77 and choose the Avian Influenza option which will be open from 6am to 10pm.

If you need to report dead wild gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans; groups of dead birds or need advice on avian flu, please contact the Defra Helpline 08459 33 55 77 and choose the Avian Influenza option which will be open from 6am - 10pm.

FULL UP TO DATE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE DEFRA WEBSITE by clicking on this link.

If you find any single dead birds (or less than 10), including garden birds then you do not need to call the Defra helpline.

The severity depends upon the strain of the virus and the type of bird infected. Some strains know as 'highly pathogenic Avian Influenza' (HPAI) viruses can cause severe disease in poultry, with a high death rate (up to 100%). The disease can develop so rapidly that birds may die without showing any previous signs of disease.

Other strains known as 'low pathogenic avian influenza' (LPAI) viruses usually results in milder, less significant disease. However, certain LPAI viruses can mutate into highly pathogenic strains.

Risk of Avian Influenza Spreading in the UK

An outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) began in poultry in South Korea in mid-December 2003, and has affected many countries in Asia. The outbreak is still ongoing in parts of China and South East Asia. More recently there have been reports of infection of birds in South East Russia and in Kazakhstan.

In line with EU measures, the UK has banned imports of live birds and products that could potentially transmit the disease to other birds from those countries affected by Avian Influenza.

The current strain (H5N1) has most recently been identified in poultry in Turkey (Manyas region) and Romania (Tulcea County, Danube Delta). It had been recognized previously in south-east Asia during the last five years, and then (most recently) in Kazakhstan and Russia (Novosibrisk region only).

Where humans have been in close contact with infected birds, there have been a relatively small number of bird-to-human transmissions of the virus (117 cases to date) but mortality from this has been high. There has been no sustained person-to-person transmission.

Pandemic Flu

A pandemic arises when a strain of influenza A virus mutates to allow human-to human-spread in a number of countries across the world.

Three flu pandemics occurred in the last century. The interval from 1968, the last outbreak, to now is 37 years. So a pandemic is expected, although the precise time to the event cannot be predicted.

Annual flu immunizations will not protect against any pandemic strain that emerges.

Seasonal Flu

This occurs most winters. The present flu vaccine is only suitable for this type of seasonal flu.

Vaccines

Vaccine for pandemic flu will be produced as soon as the pandemic strain is known.

There is no point in producing a vaccine for the population before the pandemic i.e. before the strain is known for definite. As a contingency, H5N1 vaccine has been ordered in case this does mutate to become the pandemic strain.

Anti-viral Therapy

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is being stockpiled by the Department of Health and will be available in during the pandemic. The Department of Health has produced priority guidance on who should be offered anti virals. This is being restricted to (cases) rather than contacts, although post exposure prophylaxis will be available for Health Care Workers.

It is not appropriate to prescribe Oseltamivir now for people to self-medicate when they may have flu.

Further Information

Please download the Avian Flu Frequently Asked Questions pdf document

See the HPA website (www.hpa.org.uk).

For the full facts see the Health Protection Agency (HPA) website (www.hpa.org.uk).