Avian flu prevention zone extended
avian influenza (bird flu) prevention zone that was declared by the Scottish Government on December 6 has now been extended.
In response to the spread of the H5N8 strain of the virus in Europe, the prevention zone has been extended to February 28.
The zone covers the whole of Scotland and it applies to all poultry and captive birds in the country.
Indoors
All poultry keepers are asked to keep birds indoors, or to take appropriate practical steps to stop them from coming into contact with wild birds.
Since the initial prevention zone was announced, there have now been confirmed cases of the virus in England, Wales and Scotland, making this a biosecurity risk.
As well as keeping poultry isolated from wild birds, all keepers should take biosecurity precautions, such as disinfecting footwear, equipment and clothNATIONAL ing after coming into contact with birds.
The council’s environmental health team is aware that there are a large numbers of people in Argyll and Bute who keep small numbers of poultry. However, anyone with fewer than 50 birds is not required to register.
Councillor David Kinniburgh, policy lead for regulatory services, said: ‘We would ask that all keepers of poultry and wild birds follow the current advice from the Scottish Government, which is available at: http://www. gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/ disease/avian.
‘We would also ask members of the public to notify us of any poultry which is not being kept under cover. You can contact our animal health team on 01546 60 5519 or email AnimalHealth@ argyll-bute.gov.uk.’