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THE FACTS
- One case of avian flu was confirmed in Cellardyke, Fife in early April.
Tests carried out on the one dead swan showed it to have the H5N1 avian flu virus.
- Avian flu is a disease in birds, not humans. While there have been some
cases of people in South-East Asia and Turkey contracting avian flu from birds, it is extremely difficult
for the virus to jump to humans. The people who have contracted the disease were mostly chicken farmers
who were in close contact with the birds.
- It is too early to say if there will be any impact on tourism; however it
is important to keep perspective on this issue to minimise any unnecessary impact on the industry in
Fife.
- It is safe to visit attractions in Scotland where there are birds, such
as nature reserves, stately homes and gardens, zoos, children’s farms and wetland centres.
- VisitScotland has contingency plans in place should events begin to impact
on tourism. Through liaison with the appropriate authorities VisitScotland will continue to monitor
the situation and provide advice to both tourism businesses and visitors to Fife and Scotland.
- Avian flu is not a new disease. It was last found in the UK in 1992 on a
turkey farm in Norfolk and in 2003 there was an extensive outbreak in the Netherlands with millions
of birds culled. Both outbreaks were contained quickly.
- The Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD)
has a comprehensive contingency plan to deal with the situation and is already working closely with
organisations to monitor wild and migratory birds.
- Avian flu in birds exists in a number of popular overseas destinations for
British tourists, there are no travel advisories for these destinations and tourists are continuing
to travel to these destinations.
- It is sensible to take normal hygiene measures if in close contact with
a wild or farm bird and if a member of the public sees a dead bird it should not be handled.
- There has been a lot of media coverage about a possible link between avian
flu and a possible human flu virus. While some people have contracted avian flu from birds it does not
have the ability to spread from human to human. It is possible that avian flu could mutate to a human
form of the virus, however, this has not happened as yet and may never happen.
For the Scottish Executive statement click here
VisitScotland
Last updated: 1pm,
6 June 2006
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More
information: World Health Organisation BBC
news Department of Health Scottish
Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Dept
Health
Protection Agency UK Resilience
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