Bird Flu Is Back: 6 FAQs About Avian Flu

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As cases of avian flu (also known as bird flu) rise around the UK, a new avian influenza prevention zone has just been ordered by the UK chief veterinary officer that covers the whole of England, which will require bird keepers to carry out enhanced biosecurity to reduce the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.

Although the major concern currently is livestock such as chickens and other commercial poultry flocks, we know that some of you have expressed concern about garden birds and whether or not they are at risk. 

We’re here to put your minds at ease wherever we can, so here’s a quick guide to avian flu that should answer your questions… but, of course, if you have any other concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Johnston & Jeff team. 

What is avian flu?

Just as human flu is a virus that affects people, bringing about all the unpleasant symptoms it does, so avian flu is similar in birds. It is a virus that causes disease in birds, both kept and wild, and unfortunately, it has a high mortality rate, meaning that any birds that catch it are likely to die. 

There are many strains of bird flu, a lot of which are relatively harmless to birds and produce few if any symptoms. However, the current strain, called H5N1, is particularly severe, meaning that unfortunately, most birds that become infected will die. 

Are there cases of avian flu in the UK?

The first cases of the H5N1 strain of avian flu were first identified in Southern China and Hong Kong in the mid-1990s. Since then, it has spread to other countries, possibly by migratory birds. 

In England, the first case of bird flu in humans has been confirmed in the West Midlands region, who acquired the infection on a farm as a result of close and prolonged exposure to a large number of infected birds.

Note that bird to human transmission of the virus is rare and the risk to the wider public is very low.

What are the symptoms of bird flu?

In chickens and other kept poultry, the symptoms of avian flu are fairly easy to detect. Birds develop swollen heads, a blue colouration to their comb and wattles, their appetite diminishes, they have trouble breathing, develop diarrhoea and reduce or stop egg production. 

However, as wild birds are much harder to study, less is known about how it affects them. But a particularly severe and virulent strain like H5N1 may attack the digestive tract, the nervous system and the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as paralysis or partial paralysis, breathing difficulties, diarrhoea, internal bleeding, and eventual death.  

How is avian flu spread? 

Bird flu is spread from one bird to another in similar ways to other infectious diseases, either by direct contact with infected fluids such as saliva, nasal excretions, faeces or via airborne transmission, just like the human cold virus.  

Contaminated materials or equipment such as vehicles, shoes, caging, clothing and so on are often responsible for carrying it between farms and other sites, spreading it further. In the wild, it can be spread by other animals such as rats, if their feet or bodies come into contact with the virus. 

Migratory birds can also carry the virus across borders into different countries and continents, so a virus that starts in a small, localised area can, over time, travel many thousands of miles and infect lots of different places. 

Does bird flu represent a risk to human health?

Unsurprisingly, this is a major concern to a lot of people as some of the news coverage has been alarming. However, there is little need to worry about catching bird flu. 

That said, the fact is it is possible for humans to catch some strains of virus, but not many of them. Most strains simply don’t affect humans at all. 

There are, however, four strains of bird flu that people can catch, and H5N1 is one of them. But don’t worry! 

H5N1 and other strains of bird flu do not affect people easily and do not pass from humans to other humans. Whereas there have been cases worldwide, there has only been one suspected case in the UK where someone had regular, close contact with large numbers of infected poultry birds. 

There have been a handful of other strains of bird flu passing from birds to humans in the UK, but these are extremely rare and have never resulted from someone feeding the birds in their garden, which is a completely safe and necessary activity to continue. 

Should I keep feeding garden birds?

Whereas avian flu is both a concern, and very distressing for birds and the people who love them, the recent outbreak in the UK shouldn’t cause panic or stop people from feeding the birds in their garden. 

The fact is, the chance of catching bird flu from wild birds is miniscule due to the low incidence of the condition in garden bird populations and because, when feeding, there is no direct contact with the birds. 

However, to remove the risk almost entirely, always practice good hygiene. 

This is a point we’ve covered several times on this blog, but regularly cleaning your bird feeders and tables with a bird-friendly disinfectant is essential, for them and you. If you’re particularly worried, you can use products that specifically treat the H5N1 virus.

To protect yourself further, use gloves when cleaning up any faeces and old food, which can soon sour and become a breeding ground for bacteria. Not only does this protect you, it also minimises the chances of the disease being spread among other birds. 

Outside of your own garden, follow government advice on not picking up or touching dead birds, particularly waterfowls such as ducks, geese and swans, as of all the wild species of bird there are, these are most commonly affected by avian flu. In fact, Defra asks people to report any dead swans, geese, ducks, gulls, or birds of prey they come across. 

But beyond these minor actions, please continue enjoying the birds in your garden without any concerns about catching or spreading bird flu, and the birds will continue to thank you for it. 

The fact is, bird flu is an extremely low risk to human health in the UK and as the current outbreak begins to subside, it should hopefully stay that way for a long time to come. 

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