Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Wrexham County Borough Council's Role

All departments are working closely together to ensure that emergency contingency plans are in place and can be activated very quickly in the event of an outbreak.

The Trading Standards Service as the enforcement section in the authority, may be called upon carry out a number of roles in the event of a disease outbreak including:

• Enforcement of various preventative measures, including restrictions relating to bird gatherings.
• Enforcement of legislation in the event of a disease outbreak.
• Enforcing movement restrictions and involvement in licensing movements.
• Signposting restricted areas.
• Possible closure of footpaths based on veterinary risk assessment.
• Cleansing and disinfection duties.
• Gathering information on bird owners and providing guidance.
• Working with other disease control partners.
• Ensure poultry is being kept undercover.

The Service will be liaising closely with the State Veterinary Service, Welsh Assembly Government and DEFRA who are the lead authority.

Dead Wild Birds

If you think you have come across unusual deaths of wild birds a rule of thumb is:

• one or more swans or wild/aquatic birds
• 3 or more birds of the same species
• five or more birds of the same species

then contact the DEFRA help line on 08459 335577.  When contacting this help line please have as much information to hand as possible so that an initial assessment can be made, be patient the line can at times be very busy.

The one-off dead garden bird is not generally seen as a problem and these should be disposed of in the usual way.

However if in doubt contact the help line for advice.

Useful Links / Sources of advice and information

We will keep you up to date on any local issues and developments relating to Avian Influenza. However as the situation can change rapidly we have provided a link to the following information sources.

Welsh Assembly Government - Avian Influenza

Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Travel Advice (Foreign & Commonwealth Office)

Health Protection (Health Protection Agency)

Human Pandemic (Department of Health)

Food Safety (Food Standards Agency)