Avian Influenza

EURING policy statement on Avian Influenza

EURING considers that it is vital for bird ringing to be maintained in order to provide sound data on changing patterns of bird movements and demography in relation to avian influenza and other applied issues. It is co-ordinating information on best practice with respect to the hygiene of ringers and birds to ensure that this can be done safely. Our policy statement on these issues can be viewed here.

Recommendations on hygiene and field procedures

Advice provided by the British Trust for Ornithology Ringing Scheme.

Research on bird movements

EURING is actively involved in research on the movements of wild birds in relation to the potential transmission of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI). We have collaborated with Wetlands International to produce reports entitled “Urgent preliminary assessment of ornithological data relevant to the spread of Avian Influenza in Europe” and "Ornithological data relevant to the spread of Avian Influenza in Europe (phase 2)" for the European Commission. We have also developed a Migration Mapping Tool for 21 key species which can be viewed here.

General information about avian influenza

World Health Organization WHO http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html

European Union: Animal Health and Welfare http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/avian/index_en.htm

World Organization for Animal Health OIE http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/A_AI-Asia.htm

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO
http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/subjects/en/health/diseases-cards/special_avian.html
providing further link to the FAO and OIE International Scientific Conference on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds, Rome, May 30-31, 2006

UK
http://www.bto.org/notices/flu_statement.htm (BTO website)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/051011b.htm (Surveillance for H5N1)
http://www.bto.org/notices/bird_flu.htm (joint statement from RSPB, Birdlife International, WWT and BTO)
http://www.hpa.org.uk/ (Health Protection Agency website)

Previous information

EURING press release on Avian Flu and migratory birds (August 2005)

Contact

For further information about EURING’s work in relation to Avian Influenza please contact the Vice-chairman, Matthias Kestenholz. Email:

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