A parrot that was imported from Surinam, South America, died in the UK of avian influenza (bird flu) while in quarantine. All pets in the UK have to spend some time in quarantine before entering the country. A Dept of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the bird died of bird flu while in quarantine.
The parrot had arrived in September, 2005. It is not yet known whether the parrot had the lethal H5N1 strain of the virus.
As the bird was in quarantine, the general population of farmed birds are still free of bird flu in the UK.
148 parrots and soft bills from Surinam were in quarantine alongside some birds from Taiwan. During their whole time in quarantine they were held in a biosecure quarantine unit. All the birds have been culled.
The UK has the strictest quarantine laws in the world for imported animals and pets. An official said this incident demonstrated the importance and effectiveness of the UK’s quarantine laws.
All staff who had come into contact with the birds have been given antiviral treatment and are free of bird flu.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today