# 1017
The discovery of H5N1 in wild birds in Germany, France, and the Czech Republic earlier this summer has the UK on alert for sick or dead birds. Some species of birds from these affected areas are thought to migrate to parts of the UK each summer.
Bird flu cases bring calls for extra vigilance
SHAUN LOWTHORPE
27 July 2007 19:41
Wildlife experts across the region were tonight asked to step up patrols for dead wild birds after a fresh outbreak of avian flu in Europe.
Northamptonshire and the South East to undertake extra surveillance after recent outbreak of the H5N1 strain of the virus in France, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Defra has asked staff in bird reserves in the East of England,
Earlier this week eight dead birds including swans, a duck and a goose were found in two lakes near Nuremburg, southern Germany following an outbreak in the Czech Republic earlier this month.
Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said the areas identified were those where birds migrating from the affected parts of Europe were most likely to arrive.
Earlier this year there was an outbreak of the deadly strain of the virus at the Bernard Matthews factory in Holton, near Halesworth.
Defra and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, which are working in partnership with a range of organisations from the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Natural England, said it was important to remain vigilant.
“The risk of avian influenza to the UK remains low but increased, and our current control and monitoring measures reflect this,” she said. “We will continue to monitor the disease situation and we are keeping our levels of surveillance under review.
“We are also very grateful for the valuable voluntary contribution from the organisations who we work in partnership with to carry out this surveillance work.”
Dead birds found such as gulls, ducks, geese, swans and waders will be sent for laboratory testing as part of an early warning system to detect if avian flu has reached the UK.
In Norfolk Trading Standards officers were set to remind bird owners to maintain good bio-security measures.
A county council spokesman said: “It's just a reminder to everybody about bio-security for anybody who keeps birds. They should be feeding and watering them under cover to minimise the risk of contamination.”
Members of the public are also encouraged to report dead birds of the above species by calling the Defra helpline on 08459 335577.
