Scottish wild bird high pathogenicity: avian influenza response plan

10. Communications

Previous HPAI outbreaks in wild birds have highlighted the importance of communication in responding to a wildlife outbreak. Communications should focus on the following points:

• Development of good communications with all organisations involved in the response to a future HPAI outbreak in wild birds;
• Provision of up-to-date information in the public domain;
• Clear description of the policy position (on a Scottish and UK basis);
• Definitions of roles and responsibilities of the key Scottish Government personnel involved in the response; and
• Description of tools and infrastructures used to disseminate information effectively.

10.1. Communications – Roles and Responsibilities

Two-way communication between responsible bodies and stakeholders during an outbreak is key to mitigating the risk of transmission of disease between birds and in protecting human health. Communication responsibilities are outlined below:

Scottish Government

• Provide up-to-date advice to the public and bird keepers, including on how to spot and report the disease –
• Bird flu (avian influenza): cases in wild birds
• Wild bird surveillance - Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease
• Confirmed findings of influenza of avian origin in non-avian wildlife
• Notifiable Avian Disease Control Zones in place

Scottish Task Force on Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

• Provide information to stakeholder audience by way of online events and eNewsletter.

NatureScot

• Raise awareness of the conservation implications of avian influenza (e.g., via social media)
• Provide signage on National Nature Reserves (NNRs) managed by NatureScot

Animal and Plant Health Agency

• Publish weekly reports of positive findings in wild birds –

an interactive online map and dashboard of wild bird findings in GB:

• interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and findings of avian influenza in wild birds in Great Britain
• interactive dashboard of findings of avian influenza in wild birds in Great Britain
• weekly reports of HPAI findings in wild birds in Great Britain

Land managers

• Reporting mortality sightings using the report dead wild birds online service or via the GB wild bird surveillance helpline administered by Defra on behalf of all GB administrations on 03459 33 55 77.
• Display signage to warn general public of the risk of HPAI and the measures they can take – example posters are provided by APHA: Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot

Public

• Reporting wild bird mortality sightings via the report dead wild birds online service or via the GB wild bird surveillance helpline administered by Defra on 03459 33 55 77.

Find out about the latest situation including current outbreaks and measures in place to prevent the spread of the disease here.