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Environment 

Avian Flu

Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease affecting many species of birds, including commercial, wild and pet birds. The disease is caused by influenza viruses closely related to human influenza viruses.

Transmission to humans in close contact with poultry or other birds occurs rarely and only with some strains of avian influenza. The potential for transformation of avian influenza into a form that both causes severe disease in humans and spreads easily from person to person is a great concern for world health.

All people that keep poultry and 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.

You can find further information for Avian Flu by following the links on the right for the Food Standards Agency, DEFRA, Health Protection Agency and Veterinary surveillance: Great Britain Poultry Register.

Contact

If you would like further details or are concerned by dead birds you have found please contact Defra's Avian Flu Helpline on 08459 335577.