Bird flu or avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease which can affect all species of birds. There are various strains of the avian influenza virus which are split into 2 different categories: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) which spreads rapidly causing serious disease with high mortality (up to 100% within 48 hours) and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) which causes a mild disease and may easily go undetected.
The strain of Avian Influenza currently affecting birds around the world is called H5N1 and is highly pathogenic. To date thirteen of the EU member states have identified H5N1.
What is the EU doing to prevent further spread of Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza can occasionally spread to humans and other animals, usually following direct contact with infected birds. Worldwide between January 2003 and September 2006, there were 250 confirmed human cases - none of which were in the EU.
In order to prevent further spread of the disease the Commission has imposed an import ban on live birds and a number of poultry products including fresh poultry meat and untreated feathers from Cambodia, China including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, North Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia and Kazakhstan.
Council Directive 2005/94/EC contains provisions to limit the spread of the virus. If a case of H5N1 strain avian flu is suspected any poultry must be culled and disposed of safely along with all poultry products and eggs. Feeding stuffs, contaminated equipment and manure must be destroyed or treated to inactivate the virus.
A ten kilometre surveillance zone is immediately put in place surrounding the area and remains for at least 30 days. Within this area a three kilometre protection area is imposed and must remain for at least 21 days. All poultry and captive birds within the protection area must be taken inside and any person or vehicle leaving the protection area must first undergo rigorous cleaning processes.
On a National level, all Member States have avian influenza contingency plans in place to ensure that the most appropriate measures are immediately implemented.
At farm level preventive hygienic measures such as cleaning and disinfection are crucial to prevent the spread of disease.
The European Commission and EU Member States are working continually on pandemic influenza planning and response measures in case of such an eventuality. The EU is working with the World Health Organisation and undertaking research into the virus and potential preventative measures.
