May 24, 2007

scientists react to suspected avian flu outbreak

This followed the discovery of the H7N2 flu virus in Denbighshire, North Wales.

Professor Wendy Barclay, Chair in Influenza Virology, Imperial College London, said:

“Most influenza viruses that infect birds are the ‘low pathogenicity’ type of virus. These viruses cause mild symptoms in poultry, and do not transmit to humans.

“Even if an H7 low pathogenicity virus did infect a person that would lead to mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis.

“Sometimes if low pathogenicity influenza viruses in poultry are not quickly controlled, viruses of the H7 and H5 subtypes can mutate into the highly pathogenic forms as they circulate in the poultry farm. However even with this mutation most of the highly pathogenic avian viruses do not infect people. The H5N1 viruses that have evolved in South East Asia really are a special case.”

Nigel Horrox, Senior Vice President of the British Veterinary Poultry Association, said:

“This case of H7N2 avian influenza in Wales is caused by a low pathogenicity strain of avian influenza virus. I look forward to Defra quickly confirming that this disease occurrence has been contained and that no spread has occurred. Occurrences of low pathogenic avian influenza naturally occur from time to time and must not be confused with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza which has caused problems in recent times in Asia, and to a lesser extent more recently in Europe.

“I have every confidence that Defra will contain this Welsh outbreak of avian influenza with same professionalism and efficiency that they contained the two recent outbreaks in East Anglia.”

Dr Colin Butter, Institute For Animal Health, said:

“While we must take this outbreak seriously, there is no reason for the public to panic. This is a low pathogenic strain of virus and there was a similar outbreak in Norfolk in 2006 that was well contained by Defra with no risk to the public. This low pathogenic strain can however give rise to a highly pathogenic strain so what is important now is that Defra safeguards are put in place and the farm is isolated. We need to sequence the virus genes quickly so we can confirm the viruses origin and how likely it is to turn into a more pathogenic strain.”

Dr Diana Bell, Senior Lecturer in Wildlife Disease Biology at University of East Anglia, said:

“If this is H7N2 this a low pathogenic avian influenza virus and there should be no public alarm, rather reassurance of the surveillance and monitoring the UK has in place.”

David Catlow, President of the British Veterinary Association, said:

“We are confident that the contingency plans put into effect as soon as this outbreak was suspected will be successful in containing any spread. Vigilance and review of existing biosecurity by all owners of birds, not least those kept outdoors, is recommended and I would personally commend the quick actions of the private veterinary surgeon in reporting his suspicions. One individual has, yet again, underlined to Government the importance of the vet’s role in surveillance.”