Disease Update: APHA Epidemiology Report- H5N1 LP AI in Fife 

Please find below the key findings provided by the NFU on 18th March 2016. Click on the following link to read the full report- LPAI H5N1 Fife Jan 2016 Final Epi report 17-03-2016

1. The most likely time that LPAI infection is estimated to have entered the Infected Premise (IP) is around 26/12/2015.
2. The virus is clearly distinguishable from viruses associated with the ongoing epidemic in France and distinguishable from the group of HPAI viruses that have caused a global panzootic in the last 10 years.
3. The epidemiological investigation has concluded that the most likely source of the outbreak is considered to be indirect contact with wild birds.
4. There are a number of water bodies in the vicinity where wild fowl have recently been sighted.
5. In the field directly adjacent to the poultry sheds, within 50 metres, a flooded area has been present for approximately one month prior to the outbreak. The farm manager reported that he has observed wild waterfowl, especially mallards, roosting in this area and making use of this ‘temporary pond’.
6. Within relatively close proximity to the premises there are two major bodies of water (Loch Fitty and Town Loch) and a household refuse landfill site.
7. There is a small risk of fomites (e.g. feathers) being sucked in through the roof of the two houses thought to be the first infected.
8. There have been no other cases of H5N1 identified to date in domestic poultry in the UK.
9. Following extensive investigations, no evidence of avian influenza virus infection has been found on other poultry premises identified as tracings from the IP, or reported on other domestic poultry premises in the United Kingdom.
10. Although investigations suggest that the most likely route of introduction of virus onto this IP was indirect contact with wild birds, an incursion such as this remains a low likelihood event.