News information
- 5th February 2007:
No need to panic
Since the outbreak of Avian Influenza in Suffolk panic has run through certain sections of the media. This panic is unwarranted and damaging to both public understanding of the issue, and to consumer trust in British food.
There have also been confused reports connecting Avian Influenza with pandemic flu. Pandemic flu does not yet exist, and has no connection to Avian Influenza.
In truth the outbreak has been dealt with expertly by the UK's State Veterinary Service and has been wholly contained.
The last time the H5N1 strain affected Britain was in 1991, when it was also wholly contained.
The H5N1 strain of Avian Flu is highly contagious to birds - but where DEFRA guidelines are followed, as they have been, in both this case and the 1991 case, there is almost no danger to human health. Even in Asia, where many smallholders live in very close proximity to birds, the cross-infection rates have been exceptionally low.
On the Isle of Man we have not experienced a case of Avian Influenza.
DAFF is closely monitoring the situation in the UK, and have plans in place to follow the DEFRA guidelines to the letter should an infection occur on the Isle of Man.
In summary, Avian Flu is almost exclusively an animal health issue.
If you have questions about Avian Flu, please visit:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/key-points.htm
If you have further questions, please contact DAFF on 685844.
No need to panic
Since the outbreak of Avian Influenza in Suffolk panic has run through certain sections of the media. This panic is unwarranted and damaging to both public understanding of the issue, and to consumer trust in British food.
There have also been confused reports connecting Avian Influenza with pandemic flu. Pandemic flu does not yet exist, and has no connection to Avian Influenza.
In truth the outbreak has been dealt with expertly by the UK's State Veterinary Service and has been wholly contained.
The last time the H5N1 strain affected Britain was in 1991, when it was also wholly contained.
The H5N1 strain of Avian Flu is highly contagious to birds - but where DEFRA guidelines are followed, as they have been, in both this case and the 1991 case, there is almost no danger to human health. Even in Asia, where many smallholders live in very close proximity to birds, the cross-infection rates have been exceptionally low.
On the Isle of Man we have not experienced a case of Avian Influenza.
DAFF is closely monitoring the situation in the UK, and have plans in place to follow the DEFRA guidelines to the letter should an infection occur on the Isle of Man.
In summary, Avian Flu is almost exclusively an animal health issue.
If you have questions about Avian Flu, please visit:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/key-points.htm
If you have further questions, please contact DAFF on 685844.
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