What does the finding of a dead wild swan with H5N1 mean for animal health?
The Scottish Executive have put in place a 3km Protection Zone and 10 km Surveillance Zone around the area where the swan was found, requiring certain biosecurity measures, the housing of birds, and movement restrictions. Poultry keepers within the Wild Bird Risk Area (which stretches from near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire down to the Forth Road Bridge) are also required to house their birds. All bird keepers, throughout the UK, should continue their efforts to maintain high levels of biosecurity, and develop their plans to bring their birds indoors should it become necessary. What does this mean for human health? H5N1 does not pass easily from birds to people. People can become infected but rarely are. Where they have caught H5N1 in other countries it is because of close and prolonged contact with infected poultry or poultry products. There is no evidence that H5N1 has acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person. Further Information. Is it safe to eat chicken and eggs? On
