Defra testing dead seagull
02 March 2007
A DEAD seagull, found on a school playing field in Lowestoft is undergoing a series of tests, it emerged last night.
Although it is unclear whether the bird is being examined for signs of avian flu, health chiefs have admitted additional surveillance is being given to dead wildlife in Suffolk at the moment in the wake of the recently detected bird flu at the Bernard Matthews plant, near Halesworth.
The headteacher at the school, which wishes to remain anonymous said he contacted Defra, who removed the bird straight away, after finding students ?throwing? the dead animal between them.
He said: ?I think Defra should issue advice for headteachers at schools of what to do if children find dead birds.
?The situation is that the seagull could have been at Bernard Matthews, come onto the playing field where kids are and then they go and eat their lunch.?
A spokesman from Defra said they were not able to give information out on individual dead birds because there is currently a huge number being tested.
?Being in Suffollk there is additional surveillance, more than any other area in the country at the moment. It's not necessarily surprising we are checking and testing it but it's not necessarily something to panic about.?
A post on the Defra website said the likelihood of a wild bird that is found dead being infected with avian influenza is very small
It reads: ?Dead wild birds are screened because they are a convenient source for sampling and not because their death is likely to be due to avian influenza.?
This latest scare comes just days after a government investigation revealed a series of hygiene lapses at the bird flu infected Bernard Matthews plant at Holton.
These included seagulls feeding on meat trimmings in bins, gulls roosting on sheds and carrying scraps of meat around and polythene bags containing meat products discovered in uncovered bins.
The avian flu outbreak has so far killed 2,000 birds and led to a further 16,000 being culled, but so far no human cases have emerged.
Guidelines for the disposal of a dead bird.
1) Avoid touching the bird with your bare hands
2) Wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling.
3) Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Tie the bad and place it in a second plastic bag.
Remove gloves by turning them inside out and place them in the second plastic bag. Dispose of both bags in the normal household refuse bin.
4) Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
5) Alternatively the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag. Any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using washing detergent at normal temperature.
6) Any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.
If you find a dead bird call the Defra Helpline on 0845 933 5577 and choose the avian influenza option, which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/c...gory=news&itemid=NOED02 Mar 2007 10:08:56:137
02 March 2007
A DEAD seagull, found on a school playing field in Lowestoft is undergoing a series of tests, it emerged last night.
Although it is unclear whether the bird is being examined for signs of avian flu, health chiefs have admitted additional surveillance is being given to dead wildlife in Suffolk at the moment in the wake of the recently detected bird flu at the Bernard Matthews plant, near Halesworth.
The headteacher at the school, which wishes to remain anonymous said he contacted Defra, who removed the bird straight away, after finding students ?throwing? the dead animal between them.
He said: ?I think Defra should issue advice for headteachers at schools of what to do if children find dead birds.
?The situation is that the seagull could have been at Bernard Matthews, come onto the playing field where kids are and then they go and eat their lunch.?
A spokesman from Defra said they were not able to give information out on individual dead birds because there is currently a huge number being tested.
?Being in Suffollk there is additional surveillance, more than any other area in the country at the moment. It's not necessarily surprising we are checking and testing it but it's not necessarily something to panic about.?
A post on the Defra website said the likelihood of a wild bird that is found dead being infected with avian influenza is very small
It reads: ?Dead wild birds are screened because they are a convenient source for sampling and not because their death is likely to be due to avian influenza.?
This latest scare comes just days after a government investigation revealed a series of hygiene lapses at the bird flu infected Bernard Matthews plant at Holton.
These included seagulls feeding on meat trimmings in bins, gulls roosting on sheds and carrying scraps of meat around and polythene bags containing meat products discovered in uncovered bins.
The avian flu outbreak has so far killed 2,000 birds and led to a further 16,000 being culled, but so far no human cases have emerged.
Guidelines for the disposal of a dead bird.
1) Avoid touching the bird with your bare hands
2) Wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling.
3) Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Tie the bad and place it in a second plastic bag.
Remove gloves by turning them inside out and place them in the second plastic bag. Dispose of both bags in the normal household refuse bin.
4) Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
5) Alternatively the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag. Any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using washing detergent at normal temperature.
6) Any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.
If you find a dead bird call the Defra Helpline on 0845 933 5577 and choose the avian influenza option, which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/c...gory=news&itemid=NOED02 Mar 2007 10:08:56:137
