Wild Bird Survey & Avian Influenza Surveillance
Defra's surveillance for avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry and wild birds is part of a European initiative and is carried out in all European Member States.
Public reporting
If dead wild gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans are found 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 (Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm). An assessment will then be made and a decision as to whether the bird(s) will be collected for screening.
When reporting dead wild birds please have the following information ready before calling the helpline:
- The administrative area that you are in (i.e. Essex, Bolton, St. Helens )
- A description of the bird. Collection will only be considered if the bird is a duck, swan, goose, gull or wader. It must be in good bodily condition.
- A detailed description of the area must be given to the helpline so that someone that is not familiar to that area will be able to find the bird(s) easily if there is to be a collection. If the bird(s) is not accessible it cannot be collected.
UK Stategy
The UK strategy for avian influenza surveillance includes:
- The UK wild bird survey for avian influenza viruses
- The national survey for avian influenza viruses of subtypes H5 and H7 in domestic poultry.
- The investigation of any suspect cases of an avian notifiable disease in poultry ( Newcastle disease or avian influenza).
- The investigation of the causes of unusually high mortality events in wild birds.
The wild bird survey provides an early warning if highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses are introduced into the UK in wild birds and an assessment of the risk of introduction into domestic poultry. There are three components to the survey:
- Sampling of live caught wild birds
- Sampling of birds shot during normal wildfowling activities ( no birds are shot in addition to those that would normally be shot by hunters)
- Screening of wild birds found dead
Screening of wild birds found dead
A targeted screening of wild birds found dead in designated surveillance areas is being conducted.
Species that are considered by experts to be more likely to play a role in the spread of HPAI H5N1 will be considered for laboratory screening. The types of birds that will be considered are gulls, ducks, geese, swans and waders. Generally speaking these birds will have webbed feet, long legs or long necks.
This surveillance is targeted to areas where there is a greater abundance of poultry and water birds. A sample of dead wild birds found in these designated priority surveillance areas will be considered for screening. The surveillance areas will be kept under review.
The survey is a strategic targeted survey and not all birds will be collected.
The likelihood of a wild bird that is found dead being infected with avian influenza is very small. Dead wild birds are screened because they are a convenient source for sampling and not because their death is likely to be due to avian influenza.
Samples will be collected as a result of regular patrolling of certain wetland reserves and reports made by the general public within the surveillance areas.
The investigation of unusually high mortality events in wild birds
This is separate survey to establish the causes of deaths of large numbers of birds (die offs). It has been running for several years now and was established before the avian influenza survey. Die offs may be the result of poisoning, adverse weather conditions, starvation or one of a number of infectious diseases. They are unlikely to be the result of avian influenza, although, amongst other things, samples are screened for avian influenza viruses.
As part of routine wildlife disease surveillance we will be undertaking post mortem examination of birds in incidents where 10 birds are found dead in the same location and at the same time. This is called a 'mass mortality event'. Inside the avian influenza surveillance areas these incidents should be reported to the Defra helpline. If the location is outside the surveillance areas, members of the public may report the situation directly to the regional Veterinary Laboratory Agency (or SAC in Scotland) who will decide if the deaths should be investigated further (the helpline can advise on the local regional laboratory and the contact number).
It should be made clear to the Defra helpline (08459 33 55 77 ) if the call relates to the wildlife disease survey for mass mortality events in birds, since this is a separate survey.