This week avian flu was found in a dead swan in Scotland. STEPHANIE TYE looks at how Swindon is preparing itself

BIRD flu had gone quiet, but its discovery in a swan near Fife in Scotland has propelled it straight back into the headlines.

But behind the scenes organisations across Swindon are producing action plans in case the country is faced with a pandemic.

From hospital and veterinary staff to animal rescue shelters, preparations are under way to ensure the town is prepared.

Since 2003, more than 150 people have contracted the deadly H5N1 virus worldwide mainly in the Far East.

Experts are keen to point out that, for the time being, cross infection to humans is relatively rare, and usually only occurs when people have close contact with infected birds.

However, there is mounting concern that the virus may combine with a human strain of flu to produce a mutation that is dangerous and difficult to combat.

It is if this happens that the world could be faced with a global pandemic. Experts have warned that despite having more than two years to prepare, the world is not ready.

But Chris Birdsall, spokesman for Swindon's Great Western Hospital, said the hospital had been planning for such a thing for quite some time.

"We have an action plan for dealing with flu pandemics which would be put into place should it mutate and transfer from person to person," he said.

"It involves people from all over the hospital and looks at making sure staffing levels are adequate should a lot of staff become sick, and keeping patients in isolation.

"It is all about how we function safely and effectively."

He added: "We, like every other hospital, are aware that a flu pandemic is a threat and have thought about how we would deal with it."

At the moment, there is no vaccine against the virus for humans, and the antibiotics that are being used to treat known cases of the disease do not cure or prevent it.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said that although there are some vaccines in development, they would not necessarily be an exact match for a new pandemic strain.

The H5N1 virus has already made it to British shores in October in a parrot from South America. However, because the bird was held in isolation, the country kept its disease-free status. But this changed yesterday after the dead swan found near Fife was confirmed to have had the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Defra, the government department for farming and rural affairs, has already issued guidelines, which include keeping birds inside. Precautions have already been taken to ensure the safety of the ravens at the Tower of London.

English legend says that a terrible evil will befall the monarchy if the birds were to ever leave the tower.

And while an unthinkable fate is unlikely to hit Swindon, should the virus make it to the town, plans are already under way to bring the budgies and other birds in the Town Garden aviary indoors.

Swindon Council's cabinet member for local environment and transport, Coun Jemima Milton, said: "We will comply with Defra guidelines as they stand at the time."

It is not only the health of humans that is being considered at the town prepares itself.

Neil Forbes, a specialist in avian wildlife medicine at Great Western Referrals, said there was a whole host of information available to owners.

"There is a lot of information out there and we have been helping to advise them when they have come into the surgery.

"Defra's advice is that poultry should be fed and watered inside and preferably kept inside.

"I wouldn't say keeping poultry in a poultry house is a risk. I have poultry myself.

"But keeping poultry outside is now contrary to Defra advice.

"The big risk is if they are near wild migrating birds, so it is important to prevent contact. If that is not possible then birds would need to be re-homed or put down."

Dead swan had the deadly strain

A SWAN which died of bird flu has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "Tests from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency have confirmed that the sample from the swan found dead in Fife did contain the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu virus."

Scottish and UK officials are carrying out an assessment of the risk the case may pose to poultry and other kept birds.

Chief veterinary officer for Sotland Charles Milne told an Edinburgh press conference that a "wild bird risk area" would be set up covering a 2,500-sq km area.

It has emerged that the dead swan had washed up in the harbour of the coastal village of Cellardyke, near Fife, a week ago and that it had not been removed until the day after it was reported by a member of the public.

Yesterday, under protection measures drafted in, cars going in and out of the village were stopped by police, and motorists were asked if they were carrying poultry.

Meanwhile, two dead swans found in a Glasgow park are undergoing tests for bird flu.

The birds were found in the last 24 hours by park rangers.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the birds had been sent to a veterinary centre for testing.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged members of the public not to panic following the case of bird flu in Scotland.

Keep poultry inside

IN November the Adver reported how people across Swindon were dumping their pet birds as the panic heated up.

However, John Warwick, of the Swindon and District Animal Sanctuary, pictured, said that the situation had completely reversed.

That was until the discovery of the dead swan in Fife.

"The news only broke Wednesday night and I already have had seven ducks coming into the sanctuary," he said.

"It is bound to escalate now as it has finally arrived in Britain and people are going to get more worried.

"The best thing poultry owners can do is feed and water their birds inside like it says on the Defra website and follow the other advice that is on there."

More information and advice on bird flu can be found be logging on to www.defra.gov.uk

Taking precautions

  • If you find a dead bird do not touch it. If you find one or more dead swans, ducks or geese, more than three dead birds of the same species or more than five dead birds of different species in the same place you should contact the Defra helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
  • Combating bird flu: Report sick or dead cats Keep cats away from birds or indoors Avoid stray cats Keep dogs on leads outdoors Use gloves to put dead birds in bags Wash your hands frequently Clean pet litter trays and feeding dishes regularly