EPIC veterinary risk assessment: wild bird carcass collection in the event of mass mortality due to suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Katie Adam, Harriet Auty, Lucy Gilbert, Sibylle Mohr, Lisa Boden 29 March 2023

This veterinary risk assessment aims to address the following risk question: What is the change in likelihood of onward transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 to other wild birds, other wildlife, and poultry and other captive birds, if carcasses of wild birds believed to have died of HPAI H5N1 are removed in the event of mass mortality in Great Britain (GB), compared to leaving carcasses in situ?

This is an independent report commissioned by Scottish Government on behalf of all GB Administrations. It has been designed to inform policy on the management of wild bird carcases in the event of mass mortality suspected to be due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, and to better understand the consequences of carcase collection. This is a dynamic risk assessment and will be updated as new evidence becomes available.

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