Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) - Report of Meeting between CVO and Bird Migration Experts - 25 Aug 2005
Dr Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer, met with experts on bird migration and wild bird diseases from the British Trust for Ornithology, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
They discussed bird migration patterns and the scientific evidence associated with avian influenza (AI) in wild birds and their ability to spread the disease. They considered the range, habitats and habits of various species of wild birds and the implications of this for the interaction of these wild birds with domestic poultry. It was agreed that the complex migratory pathways meant there was a possibility that a small number of individual birds, from a few species, could migrate to Western Europe and the UK from areas affected with highly pathogenic AI (HPAI). These represent only a small proportion of individual birds arriving in the UK, the vast majority of which are not from the infected areas. The arrival and departure of migrating birds occurs in a staggered fashion and varies with factors such as species and weather. The majority of overwintering birds are present in the UK between September and March. There is evidence that HPAI causes the death of wild birds, and although data are very limited, there is currently no evidence that migratory birds can carry this pathogenic strain of the virus over long distances.
The group therefore agreed that although a risk of introduction of HPAI by migrating birds existed, our assessment based on current information is that the risk is low.
The CVO thanked the group for their advice, and the meeting agreed to
establish an ad-hoc working group to monitor developments and liaise internationally.
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November 14, 2007