Thursday, 28 August 2008
Lost and Stray DogsOn 4 June, Defra confirmed that the Avian Influenza present in laying hens on a premises near Banbury in Oxfordshire is the highly pathogenic H7N7 strain.
Active surveillance in the area has shown no evidence of disease spread and infection appears to be confined to the one infected premises.
The Surveillance Zone and remaining disease control area restrictions put in place following the outbreak of H7N7 avian influenza in Oxfordshire were lifted at 00.01 on Tuesday 8 July.
The Protection Zone was lifted on Sunday 29 June.
It is vital that all bird keepers in the UK continue to practice the highest levels of biosecurity and be vigilant for any signs of disease. If you are concerned about the health of your birds you should seek advice from your veterinary surgeon. If you suspect that your birds have avian influenza, you should report it to your local Animal Health Office immediately.
The Defra advice given here applies in all circumstances where members of the public may come across dead birds, regardless of whether there is any avian influenza in the UK.
If you find dead wild gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans and you are within a survey area or unsure whether you are in a surveillance area you may wish to contact the Defra Helpline (08459 33 55 77) and choose the Avian Influenza option which will be open from 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday 7 days a week. Please see the wild bird surveillance pages for more information.
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 8:30am - 8pm, 7 days a week.
If you find any single dead birds (or less than 10), including garden birds then you do not need to call the Defra helpline. You should:
More details on the latest situation are to be found on the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm
Information regarding bird gatherings (ie. Bird shows and Pigeon racing) is available on the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/keptbirds/index.htm#birdfair
Bio security advice for farmers and poultry workers can be found on: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/keptbirds/index.htm#biosecurity
