UK bird flu zone declared

A BIRD flu prevention zone has been declared across Britain to try to stop the disease spreading among poultry and other birds.

The chief veterinary officers of Wales, England and Scotland have declared it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks.

In a joint statement, the chief veterinary officers said: “Following a number of detections of avian influenza in wild birds across Great Britain we have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the whole of Great Britain. This means that all bird keepers must take action now to prevent the disease spreading to poultry and other domestic birds.”

Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, and workers will have to change their clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.

All site vehicles must also be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

The chief veterinary officers said: “Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you are now legally required to introduce higher biosecurity standards on your farm or small holding.

“It is in your interests to do so in order to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

Avian influenza circulates naturally in wild birds who migrate to the UK from mainland Europe over the winter where the disease can spread to poultry and other captive birds.

Owners with smaller numbers of poultry – including chickens, ducks and geese – are also being told to take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading to their animals.

UK agencies have stated the risk to public health from the virus is very low.