Bird Flu - Guidance from Defra

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, regardless of whether there is any avian influenza in the UK.

Over the summer months collection priorities have been revised to take into account the lower risk presented by migratory birds. If you find die offs involving 3 or more dead birds of the same species or 5 or more dead birds from different species in the same place you should contact the Defra Helpline (08459 33 55 77) and choose the Avian Influenza option which will be open from 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday.

Single dead birds do not require referral or collection.  If the dead bird is a single, small garden, or wild bird then you do not need to call Defra. You should:

• leave it alone, or 
• follow the guidelines below for disposal

Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people and some simple hygiene precautions should minimise the risk of infection. It is hard for people to catch avian influenza from birds and the following simple steps are also effective against avian influenza.

If you have to move a dead bird

1. Avoid touching the bird with your bare hands 
2. If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling (if disposable gloves are not available see 7, below) 
3. Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag 
4. Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag 
5. 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. 
6. Hands should then be washed thoroughly with soap and water 
7. 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 
8. Alternatively, the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag 
9. 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. 
10. Any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.

(source ; http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm)

Pet birds kept in your home

Your pet bird should not catch avian influenza if you do not allow it to come into contact with wild birds, wild bird faeces or another introduced infected pet bird. 

• Avoid contact between your pet birds and wild birds
• Do not allow contact with wild bird faeces. 
• Remember not to introduce wild bird faeces from outside on your clothes or shoes by instituting sensible hygiene measures 
• Ensure that any introduced bird comes from a reputable source
• if your bird becomes ill contact your veterinary surgeon for advice.

(source ; http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm)