Scottish wild bird high pathogenicity: avian influenza response plan

7. Advice for Wildlife Rescue/Rehabilitation Centres

HPAI outbreaks present a particular challenge for wildlife rescue/rehabilitation centres and reserves. The ingress of the virus to a centre, through the introduction of a sick bird would most likely result in the bird being treated as “captive” and the whole site being declared an infected premises depending on the level of biosecurity and the quarantine arrangements in place. If appropriate quarantine/isolation and biosecurity measures are not in place, this would require all other birds on the premises to be humanely culled as a disease control measure if HPAI is confirmed on the premises.

A wild bird would not be considered captive during transport to a wildlife hospital or to any other location for veterinary assessment or treatment. Birds assessed outside upon arrival at a site would not be deemed captive but strict biosecurity measures should be in place to protect the rest of the premises.

Local rescue centres are strongly advised to review their biosecurity protocols and liaise with their veterinary centre to establish effective quarantine and isolation facilities for new birds being admitted into the centre.

Some manufacturers have produced rapid antigen tests to detect avian influenza virus in the form of a “penside” test. APHA have issued a guidance note relating to these antigen tests. No test can be 100% accurate and it could not be used to rule out the risk of disease. Using these tests on a captive bird that you suspect to have HPAI does not remove the legal obligation to report suspicion of disease to APHA, even if the test is negative.

For day-to-day rescue and rehabilitation, only where HPAI virus is not suspected, an appropriate risk assessment, carried out by the facility and checked with either Public Health Scotland or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), should be followed. If at any point the status changes and HPAIV is suspected, please follow the above advice.

If a case of avian influenza is suspected in wild birds taken in for rehabilitation this case must be considered as ‘other captive birds’ for the purpose of reporting requirements. Suspect cases must be reported immediately as for other poultry or other captive birds. This is a legal requirement.