There is concern that a particular highly pathogenic strain,
known as H5N1, has transferred to humans, causing severe disease on
two occasions in the recent past (1997 and 2003) and is now doing
so again (since 2004) in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.
There is no evidence that the highly pathogenic avian influenza
virus has adapted to spread easily in humans.
Many, but not all, of the outbreaks have been caused by the H5N1
strain. There is evidence that it can transfer to humans and cause
death. It is possible for avian and human influenza viruses to
exchange genes in a human simultaneously infected with viruses from
both species. Swapping genes inside a human body can produce a
completely new 'flu virus sub-type to which few, if any, people
would have a natural immunity. If a new strain has enough human
genes, it can transmit from one person to another. If this happens
then the conditions for a new influenza pandemic will be met.
Existing vaccines are developed each year to match current strains
and protect us during seasonal epidemics, but these would not be
effective against a completely new influenza virus. It could take
many weeks to develop an effective vaccine against a completely new
strain.
How Suffolk County Council is prepared for an outbreak
of bird flu in the county
Read the latest information from the DEFRA web site.
If you find dead wild gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans and
you are
within a survey area or unsure whether you are in a
surveillance area, you may wish to contact the Defra
Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 (open from
6.00am to 10.00pm) and choose the Avian Influenza option. Please
see the
wild bird surveillance pages for more information.
If you find die offs involving 10 or more dead birds of the same
species or from different species in the same place, you should
also contact the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
Other information
For further information and advice, please contact Trading
Standards at:
Suffolk County Council's Trading Standards department
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich, IP1 2BX
tel: 01473 264859
enquiries@tradstan.suffolkcc.gov.uk