Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a communicable disease caused by viruses that normally infect only birds but on rare occasions have infected humans. Whilst there are a number of subtypes, only influenza A viruses of the H5 and H7 subtypes are known to cause the 'highly pathogenic' from (causing high mortality in poultry) of the disease, most notably the H5N1 subtype. However, not all viruses of the H5 and H7 subtypes are highly pathogenic and not all will cause severe disease in poultry or transfer to humans. The main route of human infection by avian influenza is presently considered to be by direct contact with surfaces and objects contaminated with faeces. Human to human spread of the disease is very rare, if it occurs at all.

Avian influenza virus can be considered as a new or emerging pathogen which is capable of causing life threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals. However, classification is also based on the form in which a specimen is to be offered for transport. The following guidance is offered:

Category A - Cultures, faeces, carcasses or other products (e.g. blood) derived from animals known or suspected to have been infected with the A(H4N1) avian influenza virus.

Category B - Human blood and other human samples known or suspected to contain the A(H5N1) subtype, or cultures, faeces, carcasses, blood or other samples known or suspected to contain any other subtype or avian influenza virus.

Further information on avian influenza is available from the World Health Organisation website.

Site Carcass/Sample Collection Shippers

The carcass/sample collection shippers are designed to meet the processes from sample collection on site, to laboratory analysis, with safe containment of the sample during transportation.

All carcass shippers comply with UN regulations and there is a suitable solution available for the transportation of both liquid and solid, diagnostic (UN3373) specimens.

DGP also provide the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) required to ensure the safety of personnel during sample collection and analysis and to prevent unnecessary contact with the specimens.

Biotect (PPE) download .pdf
BIOSHIELD IIIR download .pdf
PATHOPAK 20Ltr download .pdf
Laboratory Sample Shippers (Lab to Reference Lab) DGP provide sample shippers for transporting blood or swabs from site to the laboratory or from laboratory to reference laboratory for analysis. There are solutions available for sending the samples ambient or temperature controlled to comply with UN regulations for transporting infectious (UN2814/UN2900) and diagnostic (UN3373) specimens.
PATHOPAK Group download .pdf
PATHOPOUCH 95kPa (A4) Pouch download .pdf
BIOTHERM 5 & 10 download .pdf
+2ºC to +8ºC Temperature Control Validated COOLPAC Kits download .pdf
Temperature Loggers download .pdf