Scottish wild bird highly pathogenic avian influenza response plan

Removal of dead wild birds suspected of being infected with Avian Influenza

52. Dead wild birds can carry a number of diseases, therefore the Scottish Government advice is that they should not be touched, and left, in situ. At present there is no scientific evidence that the removal of carcasses significantly reduces the risk of onward spread of the current strain of HPAI H5N1 amongst wild birds in high bird density areas (e.g., seabird nesting sites).

53. A recent qualitative risk assessment carried out by the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC) (EPIC veterinary risk assessment: wild bird carcass collection in the event of mass mortality due to suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). (epicscotland.org)), has confirmed this position, albeit with high uncertainty. The risk assessment concludes that:

• In high density areas carcass removal is likely to be relatively ineffective at reducing the overall viral load being experienced due to extensive environmental contamination which has already occurred from both live and dead birds.
• In areas of lower bird density, background levels of environmental contamination are likely to be lower, hence removal of carcasses may have more relative impact on the local viral load, if it is feasible for it to be performed under good biosecurity conditions. However, carcass removal is unlikely to remove all dead birds due to ongoing mortality and practical difficulties of ensuring complete removal, reducing its effectiveness at preventing further transmission.
• Environmental contamination is likely to come mainly from live birds rather than carcasses.
• Human access to remove carcasses at high density locations could also result in disturbance of live wild birds. Impacts will vary by species, but this could result in increased movement of birds, both at the original location and to other sites, with potential for greater spread of infection.

54. Fomite (i.e., any object or materials which are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils, and furniture.) contamination from human access to highly contaminated areas and subsequent transmission to other sites is also seen as a potential risk unless scrupulous cleaning and disinfection is carried out^[9].

55. It should be noted, however, that the advice regarding leaving carcasses in situ could change if a different strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza considered of greater risk to public health (i.e., a highly zoonotic strain), was identified. In such an event, appropriate guidance would be issued by Scottish Government or the relevant public health bodies.

56. The EPIC risk assessment cannot cover every scenario, the information provided is intended to inform decision making about carcass removal in different situations.

Disposal of dead wild birds suspected as being infected with avian influenza.

57. There is no obligation on landowners or local authorities to remove dead wild birds when they are not causing a public hygiene risk. However, it is recognised by Scottish Government that members of the public, landowners and local authorities may choose, at their own discretion and cost, to collect and dispose of dead wild birds. This could be at a residential premises, in particular for areas which may be accessed by children or pets, or in public areas or rural access routes, for example on footpaths, with frequent human footfall. Advice on what members of the public should do if they find a dead bird/s in their back garden is available here.

58. Animal by-products (ABP) regulations state that wild birds are out of scope of the ABP regulations unless the carcass is suspected of being infected with something that is communicable to other animals or humans. So, if it is suspected that bird carcasses are infected with HPAI, and if a decision is taken to move the birds, then they must be treated as category 1 ABP material and should be disposed of accordingly by the landowner.

59. It is essential that Local Authorities and NatureScot follow correct guidelines to safely dispose of dead wild bird carcasses. To that effect, the Scottish Government has provided all Scottish local authorities and NatureScot with guidance on the safe collection and disposal of dead wild birds. It should be noted, however, that all organisations are advised to conduct their own risk assessments in line with their own policies and instructions, including advice from their own public health team/health and safety representatives.

60. A derogation exists within Scottish ABP legislation for certain areas of Scotland considered remote. The remote burial derogation exists in the Highlands and Islands, excluding the Isle of Bute, but it is advised that this should not be regarded as a first option, rather it should be the very last option considered for animal by product disposal purposes.

61. Burial in such cases should be carried out in accordance with the Prevention of environmental pollution from agricultural activity (PEPFAA) code on disposal of animal carcasses.

62. The advice includes guidance on reducing the risk of infection to those handling wild bird carcasses. The risk to the general public's health from avian influenza is very low. However, the risk to people with prolonged, direct contact to infected birds is considered to be low.

63. Those with intensive exposure to infected birds, which include official local authority collection operations, are provided with guidance on the safe collection and disposal of wild bird carcasses, which includes:

• the appropriate precautionary PPE (see section below),
• how to handle wild bird carcasses,
• how to maintain personal hygiene
• and general health restrictions.

64. The general public are advised not to take part in collection operations, unless authorised by the appropriate authority to do so and follow the relevant guidance.

65. Responsibility for the collection and disposal of dead wild birds suspected of having been infected with avian influenza on private property or private land lies with the property owner/ landowner. The Scottish Government provides guidance to landowners on how this can be done safely.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for collection of dead wild birds

66. Collection and subsequent testing will not be carried out for every wild bird carcass encountered in Scotland. If carcass collection is deemed necessary, a site-specific assessment is required in each case to assess whether the wild bird is likely to have been suffering from HPAI.

67. If the carcass has been found in an area where HPAI is circulating and conforms with the dead wild bird reporting criteria, then the suite of recommended PPE should be worn. This requires disposable overalls, rubber/polyurethane boots (or disposable shoe covers), disposable FFP3 mask (or full-face respirator), safety goggles, disposable nitrile/vinyl/heavy duty rubber (not latex) gloves to be worn. FFP3 masks should be face-fit tested.

68. When the dead wild bird has been picked up, a plastic bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of as an animal by-product (as above). A high level of personal hygiene should also be maintained. Gloves should be carefully removed and disposed of safely and all cuts and abrasions covered with waterproof dressings before commencing. After handling dead wild birds, hands should always be washed thoroughly with disinfectant soap and water, or anti-viral handwash/wipes used. Wash any injuries – especially cuts – immediately, and cover with a waterproof dressing. Always wash hands and exposed skin before eating, drinking, smoking or preparing food. Any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using ordinary washing detergent at the standard manufacturer's recommended temperature.

69. If the carcass does not conform with the dead wild bird reporting criteria and is found in an area where there is no evidence of the virus being in circulation, then standard hygiene precautions applied for any other dead wild animal or bird may be appropriate (i.e., disposable gloves should be worn and strict personal hygiene adopted).

70. This advice is for collection of wild birds only,for non-avian wildlife, please refer to the advice on page 18 on who to contact in case of non-avian wildlife carcasses.