Research and analysis

Surveillance collection thresholds for dead wild birds

Collection thresholds for dead wild birds with suspected bird flu (avian influenza).

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
18 September 2023
Last updated
14 May 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Surveillance collection thresholds for dead wild birds

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Details

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will only collect dead wild birds that meet the ‘collection threshold’ for each species. The collection threshold is the number of dead birds that must be reported in one location before APHA will collect carcases.

APHA adjusts the collection thresholds to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the surveillance programme.

This document outlines the:

  • dates on which APHA have changed the collection thresholds
  • threshold for each species group on the date of change in England, Scotland and Wales
  • highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) risk level and strain detected in the wild bird population on the date of threshold change
  • other collection limits that APHA sets
Published 18 September 2023
Last updated 14 May 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added new species groups and updated the collection thresholds for 14 May 2024. Updated the risk level to low.

  2. Updated with the latest collection thresholds for dead wild birds.

  3. First published.