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Avian influenza lessons learned report published

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (363/07) issued by The Government News Network on 11 October 2007

In line with our commitment to learn lessons from all disease outbreaks, Defra has today published a lessons learned report following the outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Suffolk in February this year.

The report concludes that the response to the outbreak was effective and highlights the benefits of the contingency planning work over the last six years. Disease was contained to one premises and controlled both quickly and successfully. This view was reflected by stakeholders and operational partners demonstrating their increased confidence in the Government's contingency planning and ability to respond to a disease outbreak.

The report also makes 34 detailed operational recommendations on the management of an outbreak of avian influenza, or other exotic animal disease. These recommendations have all been accepted and have already been adopted in our response to the current Foot and Mouth Disease and Bluetongue outbreaks.

Commenting on the report, the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Fred Landeg, said:

"I welcome the publication of this report and congratulate all those involved for their hard work in containing the outbreak so quickly and effectively. Even when things have gone well, it is very important to learn the lessons and improve the way we prepare for the future. This is especially relevant as we are in the midst of dealing with two outbreaks of animal disease at the moment. This is a shared responsibility, and I urge the farming industry to work to develop their own contingency plans to prepare for possible future outbreaks too.

"Cases of avian influenza, H5N1, over the last few months in the Czech Republic, Germany and France demonstrate the threat to UK is continuing and real. We will be at increased risk during the autumn migration period. Therefore, it is as important as ever that we are properly prepared, and I would urge all bird keepers to retain high levels of vigilance and biosecurity."

Key themes & recommendations include:

* Working ever more closely with delivery partners and the livestock industry to plan and deliver disease control activities.

* Animal Health working with industry to ensure that plans are in place at every large commercial poultry premises.

* Animal by-product arrangements to be reviewed and strengthened for premises similar to the Holton site.

* Communications need to be fast and effective, focused on key audiences (e.g. through timely use of the GB Poultry Register).

Full details of the report can be found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/holton.htm

As part of the lessons learned process, Defra and the Food Standards Agency also jointly commissioned an independent review of the role and responsibilities of the Meat Hygiene Service in animal disease outbreaks. This is also being published today and can be found at [insert link]. This review concluded that the arrangements had worked well, but that there were lessons to be learned around clarifying roles and responsibilities for designation of slaughterhouses and enforcement activities.

Notes to Editors

1. Avian Influenza is a disease of birds and whilst it can pass very rarely and with difficulty to humans, this requires extremely close contact with infected birds, particularly faeces. As a precautionary measure those who might have been exposed would be offered the appropriate treatment and protection in line with established protocols. Advice from the Food Standards Agency remains that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

2. Latest information on bird flu and link to latest information can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm

3. Targeted surveillance for high pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza and other avian influenza viruses in wild birds is in place throughout the UK and is ongoing. If you find dead wild gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans and you are within a survey area or are unsure whether you are in a surveillance area you may wish to contact the Defra Helpline (08459 33 55 77) and choose the Avian Influenza option or visit the Defra website:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/wildbirds/surveymap.htm

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