The recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in the UK has raised a great deal of concern regarding the safety of birds, be they wild, domestic or companion, and also the risk to human life.
The F10 Disinfectant Range has been proven effective against Avian Influenza
Biosecurity should be an important issue for all bird owners at all times, but at the present time it is even more important for you to be vigilant. For information on products that can assist in your biosecurity please visit the website of our sister company, F10Biocare, for more information. The F10 range has proved to be effective against the Avian Influenza virus, and disinfectants, cleaning products and hand decontaminants are available for purchase from the F10Biocare online shop
Below are a series of extracts from official government webpages, but please refer directly to the DEFRA webpages for the most up-to-date information
From DEFRA (http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm)
What is avian influenza(AI)/Bird flu and which birds does it affect?
Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease affecting many species of birds, including commercial, wild and pet birds. It may also affect people and other animals in certain circumstances. It is caused by a Type A influenza virus.
AI viruses can be classified according to their ability to cause severe disease (pathogenicity) as either highly pathogenic or low pathogenic. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses-(HPAI) can cause severe disease in susceptible birds and low pathogenic avian influenza viruses-(LPAI) generally cause mild disease or no disease at all. Avian influenza is one of the most important poultry diseases, and serious outbreaks of disease have been reported in many countries.
Is AI connected to Newcastle disease?
No. This disease is different from Newcastle disease and is caused by a totally different virus.
What are the signs of the disease?
The severity depends upon the strain of virus and the type of bird infected. Birds infected with HPAI may die suddenly or show a range of clinical signs including respiratory signs, swollen heads, dullness, a drop in egg production, and a loss of appetite. Some birds, especially waterfowl, can be infected with LPAI without showing any signs of disease.
Once it is present, how is it spread?
AI is spread by movement of infected birds or contact with their secretions, particularly faeces, either directly or through contaminated objects, clothes or vehicles. It is not an airborne disease
Is AI notifiable in UK?
Yes. If anyone suspects AI it should be reported to the local Animal Health Office
Why is there so much concern about the current outbreaks?
There is concern that the virus may change (reassort or mutate) to emerge as a new virus that is easily transmissible between people and capable of causing disease in people, birds and other animals. Influenza A viruses occur worldwide in man and a wide range of mammals.
The high pathogenic H5N1 AI strain involved in most of the Asian outbreaks during the last 18 months has shown the ability to jump the species barrier occasionally and cause severe disease, with high mortality, in humans. It has not shown the ability to move easily between humans.
Avian and human influenza viruses can exchange genetic material when a person or other animal susceptible to infection with both viruses is simultaneously infected with both viruses. This could create a completely new subtype of the influenza virus to which few, if any, humans would have immunity and which might be able to spread between humans.
I have heard bird flu will kill millions of people. Is this the same disease?
No. Avian influenza (bird flu) is primarily a disease of birds. It is caused by influenza viruses closely related to human influenza viruses. Transmission to humans in close contact with poultry or other birds occurs rarely and only with some strains of avian influenza.
There is potential for mutation of avian influenza viruses to new forms of virus that can causes severe disease in humans and spread easily from person to person. That possibility is a great concern for public health. More information is available on the HPA website.
I keep birds. What should I do now?
The risk remains low that Avian Influenza will pass to your domestic birds. However, all keepers of birds will wish to be vigilant about the health of their birds. They should also consider the biosecurity guidance available on the Defra website, or through their local animal health offices. Local private veterinary advisers should also be able to advise on appropriate measures.
Basic measures which should be taken include ensuring your domestic birds do not comre into contact with wild birds (where at all possible) and you undertake a thorough biosecurity programme, including the use of a disinfectant proven effective against strains of Avian Influenza (such as the F10 range), to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your cage/aviary.
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