#Biosecurity uptake and perceived #risk of avian #influenza among people in contact with #birds

Abstract

Introduction: 

Recent intercontinental spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) among kept and wild birds, and transmission to mammalian hosts, including cattle and humans, has heightened the need to review public health risk assessments. Biosecurity is essential for limiting disease spread, but how widely practices are implemented is not fully known. 

Methods: 

Here, we report on uptake of biosecurity measures and risk perception of avian influenza virus (AIV) in the context of preventing zoonotic transmission to persons potentially at high risk of exposure. Questionnaire data from 225 people in contact with birds in the UK (Avian Contact Study, May to July 2024) was analysed. 

Results: 

We found hand washing after contact with birds was the most common biosecurity measure implemented (89%, 196/218), followed by using disinfecting footwear dips (78%, 170/218). Individuals in contact with a higher number of birds were more likely to use at least one PPE measure for the face or body (χ^2 (1, n=217) = 32.452, p<0.001) or at least one footwear-related PPE measure (Df=1, n=217, p<0.001). The perceived risk of AIV to the health of birds was high for individuals in contact with large flocks (≥1001 birds) and associated with uptake of at least one footwear-related PPE measure (χ^2 (1, n=185)= 9.171, p=0.002). Perceived risk of AIV to respondents' own health was low, regardless of the number of birds a respondent had daily contact with. 

Conclusions: 

Routinely used biosecurity measures are implemented to limit AIV spread among birds, but not with the purpose of limiting zoonotic transmission from birds to humans. Identifying cohort characteristics which could lead to low BM uptake, alongside barriers and facilitators to BM uptake is important for informing zoonotic AIV public health campaigns.

Competing Interest Statement

LES, SG, SM, JT and RP are employees of the UK Health Security Agency. LES receives consultancy fees from the Sanofi group of companies and other life sciences companies. PM is an employee of the Animal Plant and Health Agency. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the UKHSA or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Funding Statement

Funding for the Avian Contact Study was awarded by PolicyBristol from the Research England QR Policy Support Fund (QR PSF) 2022-24 for investigating Zoonotic spillover of avian influenza. AT is funded by the Wellcome Trust, Early Career Award [227041/Z/23/Z]. EBP acknowledges support from the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Evaluation and Behavioural Science at the University of Bristol (NIHR207385).

Source: MedRxIV, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.23.25326059v2

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