Don’t catch up hens, Scots keepers advised

Cases of deadly avian flu on a Fife game farm have sparked fears that gathering birds for breeding purposes could spread the virus further

The Scottish government has asked shoot operators and gamekeepers not to catch up hen birds following an outbreak of the most dangerous form of avian influenza, or bird flu, on a game farm.

Government vets ordered an immediate cull of 14,000 breeding gamebirds at an unnamed premises near Leven in Fife after cases of H5N1 bird flu were detected on the farm. H5N1 is one of the most dangerous forms of the disease for human health. While it cannot as yet be passed from person to personm it can be caught directly from infected birds and is fatal to humans in 60% of cases. This large-scale outbreak marks a worrying new development during what has already been a severe bird flu season.

The nature of the outbreak was confirmed by laboratory testing after a sudden wave of unexpected deaths among birds on the farm.

Scotland’s chief veterinary officer, Sheila Voas, said: “This highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (H5N1) has been confirmed on a farm of approximately 14,000 mixed gamebirds with high mortality in the past few days. All remaining birds are being humanely culled for disease control purposes.

“It is vital that keepers take steps to improve their biosecurity and protect their birds from disease. Keepers who are concerned about the health or welfare of their flock should seek veterinary advice immediately. Your private vet, or your local Animal and Plant Health Agency office, will also be able to provide practical advice on keeping your birds safe from infection.”

In what is believed to be a linked development, the Scottish government has asked shoot operators and gamekeepers not to catch up wild pheasants for breeding purposes. In a letter, the government explained that while under certain limited circumstances it remained legal to catch up birds, doing so was ‘not recommended’. The letter explained that “there is a high risk that birds gathered from the wild could be infected with avian influenza, and by gathering them up and bringing them back to a farm/shoot/ estate, this could infect the birds that are already there.”

Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, told Shooting Times: “We recommend that everyone makes themselves aware of the latest government guidance and takes action where appropriate.”

Matt Cross

THEY SAID WHAT

“Catching them up and bringing them back to a shoot could infect birds already there”

Scottish keepers and shoot operators have been asked not to catch up wild pheasants