Poultry keepers urged: take action or risk losing flocks

BIOSECURITY MEASURES AGAINST BIRD FLU A MUST, SAYS CHIEF VET

POULTRY keepers need to take action now or risk losing their flocks to bird flu, Wales’ chief vet has warned.

Dr Christianne Glossop said farmers and smallholders must ensure they have biosecurity measures in place as Britain wrestles with its “most significant bird flu season ever”.

So far more than 50 outbreaks have been recorded in poultry flocks, including two in North Wales.

Last month new housing measures were introduced which legally require owners to keep birds indoors and follow biosecurity measures.

As wild birds and other wildlife can spread the disease, it is vital they are not allowed to mix with chickens, ducks, geese or other birds, said Dr Glossop.

She explained: “We are currently seeing unprecedented levels of bird flu across the UK.

“Bird keepers must ensure they implement the very highest levels of biosecurity to protect their flocks.

“This applies whether you have one bird or a large flock.

“Excellent biosecurity is the best thing you can do to protect your birds from this disease.

“Without it your flocks will be at risk.”

Biosecurity measures must also be in place for people, as they can also spread the disease on their clothes and shoes.

Clothing, equipment and vehicles should be disinfected and, if possible, footwear changed before entering sheds.

Otherwise, warned the chief vet, poultry keepers risk infecting their own flocks by “walking the virus into their holdings”.

She said: “An outbreak of bird flu in a flock is a devastating experience.

“Please ensure you keep your birds protected and limit the spread of the disease.”

Dr Glossop stressed that the risk to human health from this strain of the avian influenza virus is

“very low”.

It is safe to eat poultry meat and eggs as usual, she said.