The UK chief veterinary officer has ordered a new avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) to be introduced across the whole of England and Scotland in response to the escalating number of bird flu cases evident in the country.
Surveillance has found that the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus, otherwise known as bird flu, is also widely circulating among wild birds in the UK at present, which increases the contagion risk to poultry and other captive birds.
As a result, the newly introduced prevention zone will now require bird holders in Scotland and England to conduct enhanced biosecurity measures in a bid to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks among commercial flocks.
The measure mandates keepers with more than 500 birds to restrict access from non-essential people onto their farms. Workers will be required to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleansed and disinfected regularly.
Backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry, including chickens, ducks and geese, must also take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading among their flocks.
A housing order has been extended in the north of England to cover York and North Yorkshire, and a new one has been declared for Shropshire following an outbreak on a poultry farm there last week. Both were enacted from the start of today (Monday, January 27).
The UK chief veterinary officer confirmed that the housing order for East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, will remain in effect. Areas where housing orders are in place require the strictest levels of biosecurity.
In addition, mandatory housing also applies in any 3km protection zone surrounding an infected premises.
UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss said: “Given the continued increase in the number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease.
“I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them, to continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
Avian influenza prevention zone
According to the government, the AIPZs will be in place until further notice and will be reviewed regularly as part of the government’s constant monitoring of the disease.
The NFU poultry board have voiced their support for the government and their “prompt” introduction of the protection zone as a means of preventing further outbreaks of the “devastating disease”.
NFU Poultry Board chair, James Mottershead said: “The NFU Poultry Board met this week and supported the introduction of a UK wide avian influenza prevention zone which would introduce mandatory biosecurity measures for all bird keepers.
“The NFU also requested the government to implement UK wide housing measures which would be an important part of a suite of measures to help prevent any further outbreaks of this devastating disease.
“We are pleased the government has acted promptly on this issue to protect the national flock with an AIPZ being implemented across England and Scotland, with Welsh Government expected to follow shortly.
He also spoke of the “devastating” toll bird flu outbreaks can have on farming families, who he believes go to great lengths to care for their flocks.
He added: “Outbreaks of avian influenza can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families. Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.
“In light of cases of avian influenza being confirmed and the increased risk levels for both wild birds and poultry, I urge all bird keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant, maintain stringent biosecurity measures and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity,” Mottershead said.
