Avian Influenza

What is Avian influenza?

Avian influenza (AI) is a highly infectious viral disease of wild birds and poultry. It’s spread by contact with infected birds, or bird faeces.

The current strains are a low risk concern to human health, but the disease has caused devastating effects on commercial poultry and wild birds. Different bird species are affected differently, chickens and turkey are severely affected, but ducks show less severe signs and garden birds appear to be the least affected, but they may be carriers.

What are the signs?

There’s a huge list of signs, and some signs are not specific to AI and could be other less severe issues.

The most common signs of AI include:

  • sudden death - usually more than one bird, and the remaining birds will look unwell.

  • swollen head

  • closed / runny eyes

  • weakness

  • lying down/unable to stand/ uncoordinated

  • twisted neck

  • small bruises on skin - usually on the legs or neck

  • breathing difficulties - gasping for air or making breathing noise

  • watery diarrhoea

  • stopped laying

  • Reduced feed and water intake

There are no treatments available for avian influenza, and most affected birds are very sick, therefore euthanasia is necessary to prevent further suffering

What should I do if I think my birds have it?

If you suspect your birds have avian influenza, you must contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. This is a legal requirement. The APHA will visit your birds and confirm if they are likely to have avian influenza. Call APHA (DEFRA rural services) in England: 03000 200 301. Wales: 03003 038 268. Contact your local field services if in Scotland

If you find a dead wild bird, please report this to DEFRA , this helps the surveillance of avian influenza. The more information we have about how the disease is spreading amongst wild birds, the better we can be at protecting our birds.

How do I keep my birds safe from AI?

The best way to keep your birds safe is to follow the government guidance. The strict biosecurity control measures are put in place for your birds safety.

For the past few years there has been a government imposed housing order placed on all poultry (flock down), this decision is not taken lightly. During 2022-2023 there was an unprecedented number of cases, and sadly millions of birds have been slaughtered to reduce the spread, this has also devastated some populations of wild birds. The number of cases, although huge would have almost certainly been even higher without the control measures - they really do work at reducing the spread. Most cases of AI have been linked to poor biosecurity and a break down in the control measures.

  • the general guidance is to keep wild birds and rodents away from your pet poultry. This can be acheived by keeping your birds locked in fully covered housing - birds must be kept inside the covered run 24/7. Any short trips in the garden are a risk of exposing your birds to infected wild bird faeces.

  • ideally cover the run with 25mm mesh (to keep small birds out) The roof should be covered (tarpaulin of hard covered roof) - there’s a risk of wild bird faeces falling through an uncover run.

  • keep feed and water away from wild birds and rodents (store in a secure locked container) Clean up spilled feed as soon as possible. Use feeders that minimise spillage (such as treadle feeders)

The current cases of avian influenza can be tracked on the APHA interactive map, this is useful to check if you are in a 3 mile protection zone or 10 mile surveillance zone, which means there have been confirmed cases of AI in that area. Check the government guidance for the rules that apply to protection and surveillance zones

How long will AI last?

Unfortunately, it looks like AI will be around for some time and we all need to ensure good practice to reduce the risk to our birds, which will help to reduce the spread.

Vaccines are being investigated, but they are not yet approved for use in UK.