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Some questions and answers
There is widespread public concern about bird flu or avian influenza and how it might affect humans. The following questions and answers are intended to address the most common concerns and to put people’s minds at rest about the facts.
It is important that people do not panic. By following simple and sensible guidelines, people can provide the best protection and avoid potential problems. The following information should also reassure everyone that the risks are small, that the disease is well understood and that expert help and advice are readily available.
These questions and answers were compiled from information provided by the Health Protection Agency (www.hpa.org.uk) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) (www.defra.gov.uk). Further in-depth guidance is available on those websites.
Table of contents
What is bird flu?
Avian influenza or bird flu is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and less commonly, pigs.
Of particular concern, in terms of risks for human health, is the H5N1 strain. It has caused severe disease in humans on two occasions in the recent past: 1997 and 2003. It is now doing so again, in slowly growing numbers, in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China and Cambodia.
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How great a public health risk is this to the UK?
The risk to human health in the UK still remains low.
There has been no sustained human-to-human transmission of bird flu H5N1 in any of the previous cases in Asia. There have also been no human cases among returning UK travellers.
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Could bird flu spread through birds to the UK?
There is a very remote possibility that bird flu could be introduced into the UK by either migrating wild birds, importation of chickens for consumption (now stopped) or illegal importing of live birds. The risk of any of these events is considered low.
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Can humans be infected?
Yes but this occurs rarely. All human cases so far were probably infected through close contact with live infected poultry.
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Have there been any cases of human bird flu in the UK?
There have been no human cases imported into Britain associated with the recent poultry outbreaks in south-east and east Asia.
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Is there an effective vaccine against H5N1 in humans?
No. Currently available vaccines will not protect against disease caused by the H5N1 strain in humans.
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What is the risk of catching bird flu if I keep chickens or cage birds and what precautions can I take?
Where possible, domestic birds should be kept indoors to avoid contact with wild birds. If you would like advice on looking after your birds, please contact the council using the details at the foot of this page.
Thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water, followed by drying, after contact with wild or domestic birds will help minimise the risk of infection from any disease. More information is available from the Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/vetsurveillance/poultry/index.htm).
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Is it safe to eat poultry or poultry products?
Bird flu H5N1 is not transmitted through cooked food. So far, there is no evidence that anyone has become infected after eating properly-cooked poultry or poultry products.
The EU has banned the import of poultry and poultry products from affected areas. In the UK, it is safe to eat poultry or food containing poultry products as usual. However, the item should be cooked properly and basic hygiene precautions followed.
It is also safe to eat poultry and poultry products in parts of the world where bird flu H5N1 has been detected, provided the following conditions are met:
- Poultry items are properly cooked. All parts of the poultry must be fully cooked, with no red or pink areas visible, for instance. Eggs should also be properly cooked, with no runny yolks.
- Poultry is properly handled during food preparation. This should include the use of separate chopping boards and implements for raw and cooked meats. This is particularly important. There is a risk of cross-contamination caused by raw poultry juices coming into contact with other food that may be inadequately cooked, eaten raw or has already been cooked and will not be re-cooked. This means that people involved in food preparation should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with poultry products.
- Raw eggs are not contained in foods that will not be cooked further.
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Am I at risk from touching dead birds?
Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people. If dead birds are handled, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible. Avoid touching your face and certainly do not eat until you have washed your hands. Clean any soiling on clothing with soap and water.
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What should I do if I find a dead wild bird?
If you find 10 or more dead birds in the same place, you should leave them where they are, call the Defra Helpline on 08459 335577 and choose the Avian Influenza option or email helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk. This helpline is currently only available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also contact Animal Health on 01737 242242 (24-hour call-out service).
If you find fewer than 10 dead wild birds, follow the guidelines below for disposal.
Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people and some simple hygiene precautions should minimise the risk of infection. It is hard for people to catch avian influenza from birds and the following simple steps are also effective against avian influenza.
If you have to move a dead bird:
- Avoid touching the bird with your bare hands.
- If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling the bird.
- Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag.
- Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag.
- Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of it in the normal household refuse bin.
- Hands should then be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
- If disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove. When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of in the normal household waste.
- Alternatively, the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag.
- Any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using ordinary washing detergent at the temperature normally used for washing the clothing.
- Any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.
Please visit the Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/wildbirds/index.htm) for further guidance on handling and disposing of dead wild birds.
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