Bird 'Flu - Borough Plans In Place

02/03/2006

The Royal Borough is ready to take action in support of Defra should a case of bird 'flu occur in the local area – but the council has urged local residents not to be panicked by national newspaper headlines.

David Perkins, head of operations and emergency planning, said:  "While the prospect of bird 'flu hitting our shores is a cause for concern, it is important to keep things in proportion and to appreciate that there are robust plans in place for dealing with the situation if it arises."

The lead organisation is the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra).  The Royal Borough trading standards department has been working with Defra officials and they have confirmed that the council is well equipped to act in support should the need arise.

Steve Johnson, trading standards manager, said:  "If there is a disease outbreak, trading standards has the responsibility for ensuring that people comply with all disease control restrictions and assist the state veterinary service (SVS) in an eradication campaign.  There is a national contingency plan in place and we are well prepared to play our part should the need arise.

"In the meantime, anyone who keeps poultry or other domestic birds should remain vigilant for signs of the disease and all keepers should maintain a high level of biosecurity to reduce the risk of introducing the disease."

The advice from Defra is that anyone finding a dead bird should not touch it and call the following numbers:

• 08459 335577 - dead wildfowl (ducks, geese, swans etc)
• 0118 939 2505 – all other types of birds.

Duty vets will be able to offer advice about what to do.

Outside office hours the contact number is 0118 959 6695, which will provide contact details for the duty vet.

More information can be found on the government's website at www.defra.gov.uk, which is regularly updated with guidance and advice on control measures and the latest situation.