Avian Flu

[~Helen~]

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Following suggestions by a K9 member, I'm adding some "bird flu" related links here.

It would very useful if anybody with specialist knowledge could also reply to this topic and add any helpful and informative links, or even comment on what's been posted here :thumbsup:

H5N1 - news and resources about avian flu

World Organisation for Animal Health

Body & Health Canada

 

[~elizabeth~]

DEFRA put out a press release on AI in cats yesterday (March 2):

"Can Cats catch Avian Flu?

A. We know the cat family can catch avian influenza. We understand avian influenza H5N1 virus has been found in a dead cat found on the island of Rügen (north Germany), where avian influenza H5N1 has been identified in a number of wild birds including swans.

We believe H5N1 infection in cats under natural circumstances is rare as there are few confirmed reports of it occurring. Defra is urgently seeking further scientific advice on this.

We are not currently advising cat owners of any need for precautionary measures at the moment because surveillance of wild birds for H5N1 in the UK has shown no evidence of infection."

Defra FAQ for Avian Influenza

EU press release on German cat with H5N1

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

Glad to see Elizabeth has already posted the DEFRA website - they have the most up to date info for anyone worried about Bird 'Flu. Their helpline number is 08459 33 55 77.

 

[clairej810]

I've just read on another forum that a dog in Azebijan has been confirmed dead with bird flu. Does anyone know if this is true? :unsure:

Also, if it is true and Avian flu comes to Britain, does anyone know what would happen to our dogs if say there was an outbreak locally? Would it be like with Foot and Mouth?

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

I've just read on another forum that a dog in Azebijan has been confirmed dead with bird flu.  Does anyone know if this is true?   :unsure:
Also, if it is true and Avian flu comes to Britain, does anyone know what would happen to our dogs if say there was an outbreak locally?  Would it be like with Foot and Mouth?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Don't know about the dog, but I think it's unlikely. Cats can contract the illness, but I haven't heard any info about dogs to date. I'm sure we will hear plenty of horror stories by morning if this is true.

What do you mean by 'what would happen to our dogs'? If you mean will your access to the countryside be limited, then I doubt it very much. Unless you regularly walk your dog through a poultry unit, that is!

 

[clairej810]

Phew! I thought it seemed unlikely unless maybe the dog had eaten an infected chicken? Don't know if they could catch it that way?

No, I meant would there be a cull like there might be with chickens? But after what you've said it seems highly unlikely! :huggles:

 

[~elizabeth~]

Don't know about the dog, but I think it's unlikely.  Cats can contract the illness, but I haven't heard any info about dogs to date.  I'm sure we will hear plenty of horror stories by morning if this is true.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Apparently there was an article in Nature a while back that claimed H5N1 antibodies had been found in a number of dogs in Thailand, but I only saw it quoted indirectly on another site, not the original article, so I couldn't swear that it hadn't been misprepresented. This doesn't mean that these dogs were capable of passing the infection on to humans even if this was the case.

There really isn't anything to worry about at the moment, the only people who have contracted AI have been poultry workers breathing in dust from droppings or directly handling infected dead birds. There was a big poultry disease scare with an outbreak of highly infectious Newcastle disease last year which was contained very rapidly and didn't make any headlines; there is no reason to suppose that any outbreaks of the various forms of avian influenza wouldn't be contained as swiftly. There is currently no evidence of infection of wild birds or domestic poultry in this country, and there are a lot of people like me monitoring local waterfowl populations for any signs of unusual mortality.

 

[Lynn-Alexandria]

It has been confirmed that the swan found in Fife did in fact die from the H5N1 strain of bird flu. Two more birds were found dead in Glasgow, in Richmond Park and they have been sent for testing.

 

[Janimal]

Yes looks like the dreaded virus has arrived

 

[J.T.]

Scrumpy ate part of a dead magpie today :x but my main worry was that she would bring it back later all over my new(ish) carpet :x :x

Call me a bad mummy but bird flu was the last thing on my mind at the time :b

 

[fallenangel]

well the only update conserning dogs tonight was dogs should stay on lead in afected areas when going out and try and keep your cats in