Further to my very short briefing at NHD yesterday about the AI outbreak at Diss in Suffolk:
As you will be aware, HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed on the site in Norfolk which holds free range turkeys, geese and ducks. There is a lake nearby and a lot of waterfowl in the area. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been set up around the affected site.
At this very early stage of the investigation, Defra are keeping an "open mind" about how the virus reached the farm. The virus is similar to the isolate found in wild birds and domestic poultry in Czech Republic, Germany and France over the past few months.
My staff are in contact with both DARD vet colleagues and CA colleagues across the water, and will update as required.
At present, we are not recommending an increase in the alert level – currently low. However, SNH has raised it, but not NE or CCW. We will review this on a frequent, daily basis.
Further notes for information.
1. A large proportion of our over-wintering duck population (species such as Scaup and Wigeon migrate directly from Scandinavia-Northern Russia countries, and do not cross over with birds from the central European flyways.
2. The largest concentrations of these over-wintering duck species in Northern Ireland is Lough Neagh.
3. Similarly with the Whooper Swan population, these birds are coming from Iceland. Bewick's Swans are migrating from northern Russia but occur in very small numbers and Mute Swans are generally resident, and would only make small scale movements.
4. We would highlight Pochard, Teal and Tufted duck as species of interest, as these ducks migrate from central Europe and the Baltic states. They are widespread in the UK in winter, often forming large flocks on loughs, tidal estuaries and inshore coastal waters.
5. Principal wintering sites are widely scattered throughout the UK, and Lough Neagh, has a small proportion of the north-west European population. The Ouse Washes, in eastern England, is the only other UK site to support internationally important numbers. Pochard reach their UK wintering quarters by November/December, but ringing recoveries indicate that some subsequently move to sites further south during the winter. The principal wintering sites in Northern Ireland for these birds are; Lough Neagh holding some 7000 Pochard in winter; with Upper Lough Erne holding just under 500 Pochard over the winter period.
6. For Teal - the principal wintering sites in Northern Ireland are; Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough holding over 2000 each in winter; with Lough Foyle and Upper Lough Erne holding between 700 to 1000 birds over the winter period
7. For Tufted Duck - the principal wintering sites in Northern Ireland are; Lough Neagh holding over 9000 Tufted Duck in winter; with Upper Lough Erne holding just under 1300; and Lower Lough Erne holding under 700 over the winter period
8. Note the nature of their habitat – freshwater and coastal water bodies, removed from centres of commercial poultry production.
9. A one-off cold snap such as the last few days would likely not move the birds, but a period of prolonged cold weather in central Europe will move birds westward to the UK and Ireland.
Professor Howard M Platt
Assistant Director Conservation Science