Avian influenza advice

Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a virus that causes disease in birds. Poultry, pigeons and wild or migratory birds, such as ducks, can become infected with the virus. There are two forms of the virus: high pathogenicity (HPAI) and low pathogenicity (LPAI). Pathogenicity indicates the severity of the disease if the bird contracts the virus.

The subtype of avian influenza called H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of the virus that has been confirmed in poultry populations across Asia, Russia and some southern European countries. In February 2007 there was a confirmed case in Suffolk, UK and in January 2008 it was confirmed in swans in Weymouth, Dorset.

Although this is a disease of birds it has been shown that it can, in rare cases, be transmitted to humans.

There are also concerns that the H5N1 strain could combine with the human influenza virus and create a new and potentially pandemic human flu strain.

Further advice regarding bird flu can be obtained from the following websites:

Contact details:

Telephone:
01722 336272

email:
thecouncil@salisbury.gov.uk...

Postal address:
Salisbury District Council
PO Box 2117
Salisbury
SP2 2DF