A complex local and national communications network will spring into operation in the Midlands if deadly bird flu hits the UK, experts have revealed.
Media & Marketing asked the Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the State Veterinary Service (SVS) to outline the process which would be followed to keep the public informed.
A Defra spokesman said: "Overall, Defra would coordinate ministerial announcement and keep an overview of whether regional or national announcements and responses need to be made.
"On a local level, press briefings and releases will be handled for print and other media by the West Midlands Government News Network, again with Defra keeping an overview."
The department would liaise with the SVS which would be responding at grass roots level if reports of possible bird flu came in.
An SVS spokesman said in the first instance a member of the public, for instance a farmer, would alert a vet to a suspicious death.
The vet, if concerned the animal had died of a notifiable disease, would report the incident to the SVS and a state vet would attend on the same day.
The bird would be sent for analysis if there was cause for concern.
If a case was confirmed the conclusion would be sent to Defra and the machinery to inform the public would be launched.
Birmingham City Council said it was taking guidance and advice from Defra, and was "working with other partners to ensure that the necessary procedures are in place."
Last week, Midland vets were inundated with dead birds as fears grew of an epidemic in Britain.
Tests were carried out on a dead goose found in Shrop-shire following fears it could have the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu but test results proved negative.
The bird, found in Shrewsbury, was one of nine in the UK to be tested.
The Government has said the news that deadly H5N1 strain had arrived in France made it "more likely" bird flu would reach the UK.
