Keep your birds inside owners told
Poultry keepers have been told to keep birds inside until the end of February as outbreaks of avian flu have been confirmed in the UK.
The government’s chief veterinary officer declared a Prevention Zone in December and owners were advised to keep birds inside for 30 days in an effort to protect poultry from a highly infectious strain, H5N8.
This had affected farms in Europe and been detected in wild ducks in northern France but after outbreaks were confirmed in captive birds in Lincolnshi r e and Wales and in wild birds across the UK, owners are now being told to keep their birds inside until February 28.
Chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens said: “This means anyone who keeps poultry must take action to stop them coming into contact with wild birds to protect them from avian flu.
“Birds should be moved into a suitable building, or if that isn’t possible owners must take sensible precautions to keep them away from wild birds, like putting up netting to create a temporary enclosure and keeping food and water supplies inside.”
Public Health England advises that the risk to people remains very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk. People are asked to call the Defra helpline on 03459 335577 if they find dead wild waterfowl, or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location.