Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex are to be introduced on Wednesday (October 12) to help with the spread of avian influenza (bird flu).
The housing order, decided by the UK’s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss, legally requires all bird keepers in the hotspots to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures.
“We are seeing a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, and expect the risk to continue rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK,” Middlemiss said.
“We are now taking further action to help protect flocks from this highly infectious and devastating disease.
“Keepers in these hotspots must continue to follow strict biosecurity standards to protect their flock, and should use the next few days to prepare and move their birds indoors.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is also urging bird keepers to consult the interactive map to check if they are impacted and read the regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with the housing measure declaration which sets out the requirements in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex.
Bird flu cases: Sunday (October 9)
The total number of bird flu cases in England now stands at 152, following the positive detections over the weekend.
Highly pathogenic bird flu was confirmed at several premises across England over the weekend.
Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed bird flu in poultry and captive birds at two premises in Essex yesterday (October 9).
The disease was detected in a site near Witham, Braintree and a third premises near Heybridge, Maldon. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone were declared around each premises.
Bird flu was also confirmed in captive birds on a site near Burscough in Lancashire on Sunday. As a result, a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone was declared around the premises.
All birds on these premises will be humanely culled.
Saturday (October 8)
Defra and APHA confirmed bird flu at a third premises near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk on Saturday (October 8).
The disease was also found in commercial poultry at a second premises near Heybridge, Maldon in Essex.
The H5N1 strain of the disease was also suspected, and later confirmed, in commercial poultry on a site near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk.
This is the seventh case of bird flu on a premises near Attleborough, Breckland.
3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance Zones were put in place around the affected sites and all poultry on the sites will be humanely culled.
