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The Pet Health Council is aware that highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in wild swans in the Chesil Beach area in Dorset. A Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area are being established around the premises. According to Defra no disease has been found in domestic birds, and a programme of surveillance is being carried out in the local wild bird population. The general public ought to be vigilant and follow government advice as laid out by DEFRA, domestic pets are not under threat.
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Any pet owners concerned about the health of their pet should seek veterinary advice. The Pet Health Council wishes to emphasise that there is no firm evidence that H5N1 has acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person. There has been no case of the virus passing from cat to human. There is no firm evidence that any type of avian flu has passed from avian species to dogs.
Defra confirms there is absolutely no reason for anyone to abandon their cats, dogs or any other pets because of any fears or worries of infection from avian influenza. The welfare of pet animals is seriously compromised when they are abandoned and they are at risk from starvation or accident and are more vulnerable to disease.
People who see groups of dead or ill birds (or individual dead or ill swans, geese or ducks) should call the Defra Helpline: 08459 335577. Poultry owners with flocks of 50 or more birds should register their flock with Defra, they can use the following phone line 0800 634 1112. Those with flocks smaller than 50 can voluntarily register.
For more information on avian flu, please visit the following websites:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra):
www.defra.gov.uk
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/otheranimals/index.htm
http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/disease_surveillance_control/avianflu/?lang=en
World Health Organisation (WHO):
www.who.int
Health Protection Agency (HPA):
www.hpa.org.uk
Department of Health:
www.dh.gov.uk
British Veterinary Association:
www.bva.co.uk
MRSA statement
The Pet Health Council is aware of the recently published report by the Soil Association, warning that meat sold in the United Kingdom could be infected with MRSA. The Council would like to acknowledge that no infected meat has been identified in the UK by the Government or Food Standards Agency. It should also be noted that the strain of MRSA identified is different to hospitals acquired strains. Furthermore, cooking meet properly will destroy MRSA.
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