Misinformation rife amidst bird flu outbreak

Avian influenza has continued its rapid spread across the UK. The outbreak remains most severe in the east of England, with Norfolk experiencing multiple new cases in the past seven days.

The outbreak has sparked a spree of misinformation on social media. The most prominent false claim was that a housing order is in force and that, despite the order, game birds could still be released.

There are currently two separate prevention zones in force in the UK. A housing order is currently in force only in the Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex prevention zone. In this zone, gamebird releasing is currently banned. Outside this zone in the remainder of the UK, housing orders are not in force and releasing is restricted only in the small zones around specific outbreaks. A nationwide housing order and a ban on releases remain a possibility as the outbreak develops.

In the past seven days most fieldsports and gamekeeping organisations have updated the advice on their websites on the impact of the outbreak on shoots and shooting.

All shoots should be adhering to biosecurity measures