Scottish wild bird highly pathogenic avian influenza response plan

Communications

118. Communications is an area where key lessons emerged from the experiences of the 2021/22 HPAI outbreak in wild birds, highlighting the vital importance of communications in responding to a wildlife outbreak. Communications should focus on the following points:

• Development of good communications with all organisations involved in the response to a future HPAI outbreak in wild birds;
• Provision of up-to-date information in the public domain;
• Clear description of the policy position (on a Scottish and UK basis);
• Definitions of roles and responsibilities of the key Marine Scotland personnel involved in the response; and
• Description of tools and infrastructures used to disseminate information effectively.

Communications – Roles and Responsibilities

119. Two-way communication between responsible bodies and stakeholders during an outbreak is key to mitigating the risk of transmission of disease between birds and in protecting human health. Communication responsibilities are outlined below:

Scottish Government

• Provide up-to-date advice to the public and bird keepers, including on how to spot and report the disease - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-in-wild-birds

Scottish Task Force on Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

• Development and implement an approach for stakeholder communications (in progress).

NatureScot

• Raise awareness of the conservation implications of avian influenza (e.g., via social media)
• Provide signage on NNRs managed by NatureScot

Animal and Plant Health Agency

• Publish weekly reports of positive findings in wild birds - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-in-wild-birds

Land managers

• Reporting mortality sightings using the report dead wild birds online service^[13] or via the GB wild bird surveillance helpline administered by Defra on behalf of all GB administrations on 03459 33 55 77.
• Display signage to warn general public of the risk of HPAI and the measures they can take – example posters are provided by APHA Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Public

• Reporting wild bird mortality sightings via the report dead wild birds online service^[14] or via the GB wild bird surveillance helpline administered by Defra on 03459 33 55 77.

120. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols.

121. The purpose of the surveillance and testing of wild birds is to capture information on the location and strains of avian influenza that might be prevalent in Great Britain. This data then helps government to build up a picture of the current risks, and shapes the response to this risk

122. Find out about recent wild bird findings.

Contact information

123. For reports of suspected cases of HPAI in poultry or other captive birds in Scotland contact your field service local office at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) (Contact APHA by calling 03000 200 301 if you are in England and 03003 038 268 if you are in Wales). Failure to do so is an offence. Sign up to the APHA Alerts Service to keep up to date with the latest news.

124. For suspected cases in Wild Birds:

125. Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people.

126. In Great Britain, the public are encouraged to report findings of dead wild birds using the report dead wild birds online service or by calling the GB wild bird surveillance helpline administered by Defra on 03459 33 55 77.

If you do not wish to provide your contact details

127. If you wish to submit a report without providing contact details, then the telephone helpline should be used. You must be 18 or over to use this service to report dead wild birds. GB wild bird surveillance helpline administered by Defra : 03459 33 55 77.

128. Report an injured animal or sick bird to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) in Scotland. Telephone: 03000 999 999). Information about call charges is available.

Note: Please do not take sick birds to the SSPCA National Wildlife Rescue Centre, nor to any of their animal rescue and rehoming centres. Due to the current avian influenza situation the SSPCA cannot admit them due to the potential risk they could impose to other birds in their care.