National Survey for AI Viruses in Domestic Poultry:

The European Commission requires all Member States of the European Union to undertake surveys each year for avian influenza in poultry.

Sampling for the annual UK avian influenza survey in domestic poultry began again on Monday 11th August 2008. This routine annual survey has been running since 2003 and has been a success thanks to cooperation between individual poultry keepers, the poultry industry, Animal Health (AH), Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) and Defra.

The purpose of avian influenza surveillance in domestic poultry is to detect the incidence of infections with avian influenza virus subtypes H5 and H7 in different species of poultry. Early detection is essential to effective control. The survey will continue to provide valuable information across the EU for an early warning system of LPAI H5 and H7 sub-types in poultry.

A random list of poultry premises is selected from across the UK. The survey includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and quail. Blood samples are taken from a number of birds on each premises by Animal Health staff. Each premises is contacted in advance by Animal Health to arrange a convenient time for sampling. The birds are then screened for the presence of antibodies to avian influenza viruses of subtypes H5 and H7. In 2007 330 premises were sampled.

Over the last five years only a few serologically positive samples of avian influenza H5 or H7 subtypes have been found in poultry during the survey. When this occurs, veterinary inquiries may be carried out and further samples taken to ascertain whether avian influenza viruses are present or not. Previous positive findings were all due to previous infections with LPAI viruses, and following further investigations, no active infection was found to be present in those flocks.