Anyone who finds a dead bird and suspects it could be a victim of the H5N1 bird flu should contact the Government Veterinary Officer or the Environment Department in the first instance.

Clarity has been given after a man who found a dead chicken and wondered where to report it in light of concerns about bird flu that has affected Asia, Africa and Europe, was frustrated in attempts to get through to the right Government department this week. The dead chicken was spotted by Don Haines in an area of long grass in Southside near Stocks Point and did not appear to have been hit by a vehicle.

?It was off in the grass and it was a wild chicken,? said Mr. Haines. But he was passed from the Health Department to the Environment Ministry finally left a message on the Veterinary Officer?s answering service.

?There should be someone to look at these things with the seriousness of bird flu in other parts of the world.?

Senior Medical officer Dr. Brenda Davidson said: ?There have been no cases of the virus in this hemisphere although we need to be alert to it.

?It is unlikely that one chicken would have got it without signs of other migratory birds being found dead also. Chickens are most likely to have been killed by eating rat poison or being struck by a car.

?However, it is good practice for people to report these things and our advice would be not to touch the dead bird.?

Government Vet Jonathan Nisbett has attended overseas programmes to learn about the early detection of the bird flu virus. Suspected specimens found in Bermuda would be sent overseas for laboratory checks to be made to confirm the existence of the virus. Dr. Davidson said the most likely route for the virus to reach Bermuda would be through migratory birds, but the Island is generally not on the main migratory routes.

Anyone concerned about a bird death should contact the Government Vet or alternatively 236-4201.