Scottish wild bird highly pathogenic avian influenza response plan

Annex A

NatureScot Scientific Advisory Committee Sub-Group on Avian Influenza Report on the H5N1 outbreak in wild birds 2020-2023

NatureScot commissioned advice from its Scientific Advisory Committee in order to support Scotland's Avian Flu Task Force. Specifically, the sub-group was asked to consider:

1. An assessment of the current and emerging impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on wild bird populations in Scotland, noting that the emerging evidence base is developing rapidly (and constrained due to restrictions on ringing and related activities in 2022);

2. An assessment of the current knowledge base regarding impact pathways, the vectors of transmission, species vulnerability, environmental persistence, and epidemiology modelling in relation to H5Nx in wild birds with a view to informing policy and identifying gaps in the knowledge base;

3. Taking account of the policy intention behind the GB Wild Bird Surveillance Scheme provide advice on complementary surveillance, testing, and carcass collection to expand the evidence base on the extent and spread of HPAI in wild birds. This should be wide ranging advice in terms of what needs to be done, should note ongoing research in this area, consider practical and resource constraints, as well as the current policy intention and advice from SG Animal Health and APHA;

4. Assessment of the impact from various forms of disturbance (e.g., access related to tourism, shooting, general access, generalist land management activities and research on birds involving human–bird contact) in relation to H5Nx in wild birds with a view to informing policy on measures that could alleviate pressures on infection and recovery;

5. Surveillance and monitoring priorities for passage and wintering populations of waterbirds in autumn-winter 2022-23, and breeding bird populations in spring summer 2023, and beyond. This will include guidance on permissible research activities; and

6. Further research, surveillance, scenario modelling and monitoring needs, and how these could be met most effectively.

The group was chaired by Dan Haydon with Jane Reid, Anna Meredith, Mark Bolton, Eleanor Watson and Francis Daunt. Emma Cunningham and Paul Digard provided invaluable input and support. The group was further supported by NatureScot and JNCC staff.

The full paper can be accessed here: (NatureScot Scientific Advisory Committee Sub-Group on Avian Influenza Report on the H5N1 outbreak in wild birds 2020-2023 | NatureScot)