The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) that was introduced to help stop the spread of avian influenza (bird flu) in November 2021 will be lifted tomorrow (Tuesday, August 16) at midday.
All poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned however, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country.
The AIPZ was introduced across Great Britain when there was a medium risk for some poultry premises and is no longer necessary as the risk level has been reduced to ‘low‘ for all poultry.
“Now we are in the summer months and experiencing higher temperatures, the risk to poultry has now been reduced across Great Britain and so the time is right to lift the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone,” said UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss.
“This would not have been possible without the hard work of all bird keepers, who have upheld high biosecurity standards for many months.
“However, there are still localised areas of risk as we have seen recently, and therefore it’s vital that everyone keeps biosecurity and cleanliness at the forefront of their minds to keep their flocks safe.”
The main ‘localised area of risk’ that Middlemiss referred to is likely Devon, southwest England, which has had four confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since the beginning of the month.
These cases in Devon comprise five out of the six disease control zones in force in England.
The sixth in is Bedfordshire, where HPAI H5N1 was confirmed on July 27, in captive birds (non-poultry).
This is a reminder that, although the risk-level has been reduced, infection is not impossible.
The government has said that bird keepers should still follow enhanced measures to prevent the risk of further outbreaks.
This outbreak, which has been going on since winter 2021, has been the largest that the UK has ever faced, with over 130 cases confirmed across the country since late October.
