Avian influenza (Bird flu): Avian influenza wild bird surveillance
Background
These guidelines (and related issues) were discussed at an ad-hoc meeting of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens on 28 November 2005. Further details of this meeting may be found on the Department of Health website.
Protocol for the collection and submission of samples, including public
health advice
Currently there is no evidence to suggest that highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 is present in wild birds in the UK. If this situation changes these guidelines will be reviewed.
Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people. To minimise the risk of infection, it is important to take simple hygienic precautions when handling the dead birds or any contaminated material.
Who should be carrying out sampling
Members of the public should not handle wild birds unless it is essential that they do so. For the purposes of personal safety, sampling should only be carried out by those who have been properly trained by competent personnel in the correct procedures to be followed, taking account of any assessment of risks that apply locally. The Health and Safety Executive advises that volunteers undertaking such work must be treated the same as employees for the purposes of health and safety.
Avoiding the risk of infection
Good common-sense hygiene is important when handling wild birds!
- Cover all new and existing cuts and grazes with waterproof dressings and/or gloves before starting work. If cuts and grazes occur, wash immediately with soap and running water and apply a waterproof dressing.
- Protective gloves must be worn: disposable gloves of lightweight nitrile, or vinyl or heavy duty rubber (not latex) gloves that can be disinfected.
- Take care to avoid contamination of the face and other exposed areas. If contamination does happen, then the area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
- The outer surface of sample containers and packaging should be wiped with soap and water or a suitable disinfectant to remove any contamination before removing gloves.
- After sample collection gloves should be removed by inverting them. The gloves and any other contaminated material should be disposed of in a sealed plastic bag.
- Any contaminated clothing should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
- Wash hands, nails and forearms following any bird handling procedures and before eating, drinking, smoking, using the telephone, taking medication, applying make-up, inserting contact lenses.
Sample Collection:
Swabs:
- Cloacal swabs should be of the plain variety and if possible dipped in sterile saline or PBS before use (Available from VLA Weybridge if required).
- Swabs should contain a reasonable amount of faecal material after sampling enough to colour the swab.
- The swab should then be placed back in the original sheath and individually labelled with all the relevant information or coding (see sample submission)
- Samples should be placed in cool storage at approximately +4oC using cool blocks or wet ice if necessary. The samples should be preferably kept in the dark and out of direct sunlight until dispatched to the laboratory for testing.
Do not place samples in refrigerators used for domestic purposes.
Sample Submission
After collection fresh samples should be kept refrigerated or on ice, where delays of more than two to three days are unavoidable the samples can be frozen prior to dispatch.
Full accurate details to accompany submissions should include species, date of collection, clinical history i.e. whether birds had been trapped , shot or found dead and the location and map reference if available. Coding for the swabs can be used if accompanied by a full description on the paper submission document. All of this information is important in order for the Avian Virology Dept at VLA Weybridge for Great Britain or VSD for Northern Ireland to prioritise testing and collate and report the relevant information.
All samples should be submitted to VLA Weybridge using bio-bottles as the containers for transportation. Potential submitters can request these containers by contacting Ruth Manvell (ext 2736) or Wendy Shell (ext 3410) in the Avian Virology Dept at VLA Weybridge (Switchboard 01932 341111). Each package should be clearly marked “Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance” to ensure rapid delivery to the relevant testing location.
Results will be reported only to Defra at Page St where they will be further distributed to relevant recipients.
Page last modified:
November 14, 2007 13:39