Scottish wild bird highly pathogenic avian influenza response plan

Advice for Wildlife Rescue/Rehabilitation Centres

71. The HPAI outbreak has represented a particular challenge for wildlife rescue/rehabilitation centres and reserves. The ingress of the virus to a centre, through the introduction of a sick bird would most likely result in the bird being treated as "captive" and the whole site being declared an infected premises depending on the level of biosecurity, quarantine arrangements in place and the length of time the bird had been admitted. If appropriate quarantine/isolation and biosecurity measures are not in place, this would require all other birds on the premises to be culled as a disease control measure.

72. A wild bird would not be considered captive during transport to a wildlife hospital or to any other location for veterinary assessment or treatment. Birds assessed outside on arrival at a site would not be deemed captive but strict biosecurity measures should be in place to protect the rest of the premises.

73. Local rescue centres are strongly advised to review their biosecurity protocols and liaise with their veterinary centre to establish effective quarantine and isolation facilities for new birds being admitted into the centre.

74. Some manufacturers have produced rapid antigen tests to detect avian influenza virus in the form of a "penside" test. APHA have issued a guidance note relating to these antigen tests. No test can be 100% accurate and it could not be used to rule out the risk of disease. Using these tests in a captive bird that you suspect to have AI does not remove the legal obligation to report suspicion of disease, even if the test is negative.

75. For day-to-day rescue and rehabilitation, only where HPAIV is not suspected, an appropriate risk assessment, carried out by the facility and checked with either Public Health Scotland or HSE, should be followed. If at any point the status changes and HPAIV is suspected, please follow the above advice.

76. If a case of avian influenza is suspected in wild birds taken in for rehabilitation this case must be considered as 'other captive birds' for the purpose of reporting requirements. Suspected cases must be reported immediately as for other poultry or captive birds.