H5N1 Avian Influenza Confirmed In Quarantined Parrot In UK
Oct 24, 2005, 16:39, Reviewed by: Dr.
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“We are now closer to reaching a conclusion on this investigation. We have established that the strain of the virus is H5N1. This does not affect the UK’s official Avian Influenza disease-free status. Our working hypothesis is that any infection in the birds from Surinam is likely to have arisen in the quarantine system, most likely in the facility in Essex where the Surinam birds shared airspace with the birds from Taiwan. There are more tests underway on the birds from Taiwan because we have established that some of them died before October 16. Defra has issued instructions to the State Veterinary Service to ensure that a case by case risk assessment is carried out on all birds currently being held in quarantine. We will also be talking urgently to stakeholders about restricting bird markets, fairs and shows.” - Chief Vet Debby Reynolds
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By DEFRA, UK,
The highly pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza virus found in a parrot from a quarantine facility in Essex has now been confirmed as H5N1, Defra announced today. The closest match is a strain identified in ducks in China earlier this year. It is not so similar to the strains from Romania and Turkey. It is not a strain that the Veterinary Laboratory Agency has seen before. Further investigations have now established that the tissues from two bird samples were pooled in a single sample. It is not possible to say whether both or only one of the birds was infected with the virus at this stage.
Instructions to the State Veterinary Service issued by Defra today say that for the time being no birds currently held in quarantine will be released until a case by case risk assessment is carried out. Release of birds following assessment will depend upon a further review of laboratory results and checks on import documentation.
Defra has reviewed its overall risk assessment of the threat posed by highly pathogenic Avian Influenza. In light of the recent cases in China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, and Romania it concludes that there is a high risk of further global dispersion. The UK, like other countries, need to increase its vigilance to mach this increased global risk. Ministers have also pressed the European Commission for a EU-wide ban on the importation of wild birds.
Chief Vet Debby Reynolds said:
“We are now closer to reaching a conclusion on this investigation. We have established that the strain of the virus is H5N1. This does not affect the UK’s official Avian Influenza disease-free status.
“Our working hypothesis is that any infection in the birds from Surinam is likely to have arisen in the quarantine system, most likely in the facility in Essex where the Surinam birds shared airspace with the birds from Taiwan. There are more tests underway on the birds from Taiwan because we have established that some of them died before October 16.
“Defra has issued instructions to the State Veterinary Service to ensure that a case by case risk assessment is carried out on all birds currently being held in quarantine. We will also be talking urgently to stakeholders about restricting bird markets, fairs and shows.”
"The confirmed case does not affect the UK's official disease free status because the disease has been identified in imported birds during quarantine."
The bird was in a biosecure quarantine unit. All the birds in the unit are being culled humanely.
It is very difficult for humans to contract avian influenza however, the necessary actions to protect human health have been taken in this instance. These include culling of the bird consignment and giving antiviral treatment as a precautionary measure to the small number of people who have been in contact with the birds.
Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds added "the incident showed the importance of the UK's quarantine system.
"We have had similar incidents in the past where disease has been discovered but successfully contained as a result of our quarantine arrangements."
Avian Flu is a highly infectious viral disease which affects poultry, pigeons and other birds. It is a notifiable disease, which was last confirmed in Great Britain in 1992. Avian Flu viruses can vary according to their ability to cause severe disease. Highly pathogenic avian influenza can cause severe disease in susceptible birds and low pathogenic avian influenza can cause mild disease or no disease at all. Infected birds with high path avian influenza may die suddenly or show a range of clinical signs including respiratory signs, swollen heads, dullness, drop in egg production, loss of appetite. Some birds infected with low path avian influenza do not show any signs of the disease. Avian influenza is spread by movement of infected birds or contact with their secretions, particularly faeces, either directly or through contaminated objects.
The confirmed case does not affect the UK's official health free status because the disease has only been identified in imported birds during quarantine. The birds were in approved quarantine premises and were not in general circulation. All the birds in the consignment will be killed at the quarantine centre. Under EU rules this must be at the expense of the importer. EU legislation requires that birds imported into member states from outside the European Union must remain in quarantine for at least 30 days post-import.
In the past Newcastle Disease has been found in imported bird consignments in quarantine on five occasions. Another consignment of 216 birds from Taiwan, also housed in the unit, were humanely culled. 
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK
A Question and Answer brief on Avian Flu is available and can be found on the Defra web
Members of the public should not handle dead birds. If multiple bird deaths are found the public should report this to the Defra helpline 08459 335577.
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