PR 5447
For Immediate Release
27 April 2006
In line with the prepared county plan for any outbreak of Avian Flu in Norfolk, leaders of Norfolk's emergency services, which include local authorities and representatives of the National Farmers Union, met at County Hall this afternoon to assess progress and determine the next steps.
Local agencies are fully committed to giving DEFRA and the State Veterinary Service all the support required to help them handle the outbreak and minimise risk of the outbreak spreading.
The exact nature of the outbreak may now not be known until tomorrow, but indications so far are that it does NOT involve the H5N1 strain of avian flu and the poultry are likely to have died of the H7 subtype of avian flu.
The Health Protection Agency has stressed today that the current level of risk to human health posed by H7 avian flu is very low. H7 avian flu remains largely a disease in birds, which does not transmit easily to humans.
Over the last decade only a small number of H7 avian flu infections have been confirmed in humans. In almost all of these cases the virus, in both low and high pathogenic forms, has only caused a mild disease, such as conjunctivitis (eye infection). Therefore at this stage this is a virus which only has extremely limited implications for human health.
However, any possibility of exposure to the virus is taken very seriously and the local Health Protection Unit are working closely with Defra and the State Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure that all the necessary actions are being taken to protect those people who may have been exposed to the virus on the premises or are involved in disease control activities.
As a precautionary measure, all birds on the premises are being slaughtered and Defra have imposed a restriction zone around the affected premises in order to protect near poultry flocks.
Dr Jonathan Van Tam, flu expert at the Health Protection Agency, said: “Avian flu is a disease of birds and does not transmit easily to humans. The Agency views the risk to the general public following this outbreak of H7 avian flu as very low indeed. There is no need for local residents to restrict or change their everyday activity. We are working closely with colleagues at Defra to monitor and manage this incident.”
In Norfolk, County agencies including the NHS, Police, Norfolk County Council and Breckland District Council, are asking people to follow advice given on the HPA and DEFRA website, (repeated below) and stressing that there are no travel restrictions in Norfolk for the travelling public.
Norfolk County Council's Head of Trading Standards David Collinson explained that his officers will ensure any restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak are fully complied with to minimise the risk of the outbreak spreading.
The County Council's Planning and Transportation department will provide signing as necessary and advise on issues relating to road and footpath closures, should that become necessary.
David Collinson said: "Our main role is to support DEFRA and the State Veterinary Service in their handling of this outbreak, both of whom are very well prepared to deal with incidents such as this.
"Prepared plans will help to eradicate any suspected disease as soon as possible, and though we are very mindful of the impact of this on relevant local businesses, the general message to local people is one of strong reassurance.
"Norfolk is very much open for business this Bank Holiday weekend; well cooked eggs and poultry remain safe to eat and that all local agencies are ready to respond quickly and efficiently to DEFRA's lead. People just need to follow DEFRA's sensible advice."
There is very helpful information about H7 avian influenza on the Health Protection Agency website,
www.hpa.org.ukAnyone needing information about avian flu should visit the DEFRA website
www.defra.gov.uk. Norfolk County Council's website
www.norfolk.gov.uk will be updated with news as it becomes available.
Guidance on handling and disposing of dead garden and wild birds:The advice given here applies in all circumstances where members of the public may come across a dead bird.
If you find a dead swan, goose or duck or three or more dead wild, or garden birds together in the same place, please report this to Defra, via the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
They may wish to have the birds examined for signs of specific diseases. They will advise you on what action you should take.
If the dead bird is a single, small garden, or wild bird then you do not need to call Defra.
If you have to move a dead bird avoid touching the bird with your bare hands.
If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling.
Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag. Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag.
Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of in the normal household refuse bin. Hands should then be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
If disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove. When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of in the normal household waste.
Alternatively, the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag. Any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using ordinary washing detergent at the temperature normally used for washing the clothing.
Any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.
Notes for editors:
The Government News Network (GNN) is the principal contact for further information. Contact Timma McKean 01223 372798.
For further information
Mark Langlands, Media and Public Affairs Manager, on 01603 222973,
mark.langlands@norfolk.gov.ukCommunications Team out of hours mobile: 0781 845 4782.