Some basic facts on Bird Flu or Avian

 Flu.

"Avian flu is a disease in birds, not humans".

With all the exaggeration and hype of the media to sell their papers, we thought we would bring you some basic facts about the Bird or Avian Flu;

1. Despite the Press & Media Hype 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. It is a world wide bird disease not just in British wild birds.

2. World Health Organisation has emphasised that it is extremely difficult for humans to contract Avian Flu – no-one has ever caught the disease from wild birds. Life in Fife is absolutely normal with people going round their normal day to day business. Holidaymakers continue to enjoy this fabulous part of Scotland. So do not be put off by the Press & Media Hype!!!

3. 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 in great numbers.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.
8th April 2006

The Scottish tourist Board’s web site http://www.scotexchange.net/avianflu.htm which will continue to be updated as or if events develop. Please refer to it if you have concerns.