Avian "bird" Flu

We need to differentiate between the virus that infects birds and a new mutation of that strain that may affect the human population. Head of Immunisation for England, Dr David Salisbury, has reassured the public that the risk of 'bird flu' being transmitted to humans is very low and that the Department of Health is taking all the right steps to protect the public.

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a disease of birds caused by influenza viruses closely related to human influenza viruses. It is an important disease economically for poultry farmers because of losses in poultry flocks. 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.

Further information

Further information relating to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Latest UK situation from UK Resilience

A comprehensive background to avian inflenza and its risk is given on the Chief Medical Officer's website

Information on plans to counter the bird flu variant from DEFRA