Veterinary Services

Due to the contunued spread of avian influenza virus H5N1, the Member States of the European Union agreed to increase the surveillance of wild birds for the presence of avian influenza (bird flu) viruses, particularly H5N1.

To make the surveillance more targeted, some areas where there are large numbers of poultry and wild waterfowl have been designated as Priority Surveillance Areas. Currently (14 January, 2008) the Priority Surveillance Areas in Scotland are the Local Authority areas listed below, but these could change in response to increased or decreased risks:

• Angus
• City of Dundee
• City of Edinburgh
• Clackmannanshire
• East Lothian
• Falkirk
• Fife
• Midlothian
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Some species of swans, ducks, geese, gulls and waders have been identified by experts as being more likely than other species to play a role in the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1, and if members of the public find the body of one or more of these key species in a Priority Surveillance Area, they may wish to contact the GB Wild Bird Surveillance Helpline (08459 335577). 

In addition, if members of the public find 10 or more dead wild birds of any species, either in or out of a Priority Surveillance Area, they should contact the Helpline.  Not all dead birds will be collected but, where appropriate, the Helpline will pass the details to one of a number of organisations who may arrange for the collection of some of the carcases and their delivery to one of the Disease Surveillance Centres (DSC) of SAC Veterinary Services.

Dead wild birds, especially in Priority Surveillance Areas, provide a very useful source of samples for avian influenza monitoring, and will be collected and tested for this reason and not because avian influenza is suspected to be the cause of death of the birds. The dead birds may however be part of a larger ongoing mortality problem, for example starvation in guillemots and razorbills, botulism in gulls, salmonellosis in garden birds or trichomoniasis in garden birds and the DSC may be able to provide information without the need to examine any carcases.

Small numbers of dead birds (inside or outside the Priority Surveillance Areas)

Even a small number of dead birds, if in unusual circumstances, may be of interest to the Scottish Government and SAC Veterinary Services, for example if poisoning is suspected or if garden birds are found dead at bird feeding stations. If in doubt, advice can be sought from the local SAC DSC. 

If you have to handle dead birds……

Wild birds can sometimes carry organisms such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and some strains of E. coli that could affect the health of humans, and should not be handled unless absolutely necessary.

If they must be handled, they should not be touched with bare hands but disposable gloves or improvised gloves such as plastic bags should be used.

Wearing disposable gloves, the carcase should be placed inside a plastic bag that is then sealed and placed inside a second plastic bag.  The gloves should then be removed and placed inside the second bag, and the neck of the second bag sealed.

If disposable gloves are not available, small carcases could be picked up using a plastic bag as an improvised glove, turning the bag inside out and sealing it, and then sealing it in a second plastic bag.

In all cases, hands and any soiled clothing should be washed with soap and water as soon as possible. Until hands have been washed, people should not eat, smoke, rub their eyes, handle contact lenses etc.