Business as usual in Wales as bird flu strikes in Dorset

Jan 12 2008 by Steve Dube, Western Mail

THE discovery of bird flu in three dead swans in Dorset has brought the disease closer than ever to Wales.

But despite the highly pathogenic disease’s proximity, experts in Wales said they were confident about the plans in place to deal with bird flu.

Wales’ chief veterinary officer Dr Christianne Glossop said there were no plans to ban poultry shows and sales – the Welsh National Poultry Show in Haverfordwest will go ahead this weekend.

She said, “We have learned a lot from all these episodes in the past two years. We have plans in place and we know what to do.

“The fact that we have not got thousands of human beings dying all over the place shows that this disease is being handled properly.

“It has not spilled out into the human population. That does not mean it will never happen, and we must not be complacent.”

Tests are continuing to be carried out on birds found close to the Abbotsbury Swannery – an open reserve in the Chesil Beach area of Dorset – where three wild swans have already tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Two more dead swans were found on Thursday night at opposite ends of the Fleet lagoon, John Houston, general manager at Abbotsbury Tourism said.

He said this meant it was “less likely” that they had infected each other.

Local restrictions of up to 20 miles on the movement of captive birds will remain in place following this latest discovery.

The decision not to cancel the Welsh National Poultry Show – no birds from Dorset have been entered – reflects a change of approach by the authorities in the light of lessons learned since H5N1 arrived in Britain in October 2005.

The disease was first discovered in a parrot in quarantine in Essex and led to an immediate ban on all poultry gatherings and a wave of panic about the prospect of a global flu epidemic that would spread to people, and kill thousands or even millions of people.

And last autumn an outbreak in Suffolk led to the cancellation of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair poultry show.

Alan Davies, secretary of the Welsh National Poultry Show, said, “It would have been dreadful to have to cancel at this late stage.”

Dr Glossop said the swans found at Abbotsbury Swannery were native birds, which meant they had been infected by a wild bird.

“It could just as easily have been Cardiff Bay because when it comes to wild birds they are sitting targets, but if it had been Cardiff Bay we would have done the same as we have in Dorset,” she said.

“There’s always the chance of it spreading like wildfire through the wild bird population so surveillance has been stepped up, and the message is to be vigilant.

“There is no evidence at this stage to suggest that H5N1 has spread beyond these three swans, but investigations are underway to understand the disease picture better – and of course it could happen at any time.

“We must continue to be vigilant, and bird keepers should report any unusual bird deaths or illness to their local animal health divisional office. High levels of bio-security should be maintained at premises where birds are kept.”

Nick Blayney, president of the British Veterinary Association, added, “Avian influenza is a disease of birds and, given the number of outbreaks throughout the world in recent years, it is important that we remain vigilant.

“Domestic flock owners, not only in the vicinity but countrywide, are reminded of the need to protect their birds by following bio-security guidelines, for instance those produced by the Poultry Club of Great Britain, and to continually monitor their birds’ health.”

The public can report any local incidents, such as a large number of dead, dying or sick birds, by calling the Defra helpline on 08459 335 577