"BIRD FLU" or "AVIAN INFLUENZA"

Advice to Bird Owners (8 Nov 2005)

There is a state of media created panic in the people of Hong Kong at the moment about bird flu and as a result we have had several phone calls from owners about their pet birds.

Many owners are worried and are asking about vaccination to protect their birds.

We do not currently recommend vaccination but are monitoring the situation closely and have some information below about vaccination and prevention.

1. There is currently no bird flu in or near Hong Kong, the government is controlling the situation carefully and we hope that the intense monitoring and vaccination keeps it this way.
2. Pet birds kept indoors with no contact with other birds are at a very very low risk. The infection needs to come from somewhere - this will usually be chickens or water fowl. Follow good hygiene and do not touch any birds or droppings out side your home.
3. Pigeons and sparrows are very rarely infected by H5N1. The government are testing and monitoring these too. In 2004 they checked 5,322 songbirds and all were negative. In the last Hong Kong outbreaks only one pigeon was found to be positive.
4. Parrots do not pick up H5N1 infection easily. So far there has only been one case [in the UK] of a parrot catching the disease
5. Vaccination carries some risk, there have been some deaths reported after vaccination.
6. If you have an out door aviary near an area with waterfowl - for example Mai Po or one of the parks, then we would consider vaccination if the virus reaches Hong Kong. If you are in this situation then please contact us.
7. If you have any questions, send us an e-mail.
8. The government web site www.chp.gov has more information in many different languages about Avian Influenza and its prevention.