A new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 (bird flu) has been confirmed in commercial poultry at a third premises near Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire in the UK.
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared surrounding the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled according to a statement from the UK Government on Saturday, December 28.
Earlier this month, the UK government announced that an additional outbreak of bird flu had been detected at a third commercial poultry farm in Watton, Mid Norfolk.
Following two previous outbreaks in poultry farms in the area on December 5 and December 9 respectively, the H5N1 strain was identified at the affected premises on December 17, after clinical signs were observed in the flock.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) declared that a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone be drawn around the the farm, with all poultry in residence set to be humanely culled, in accordance with regulations.
Measures in bird flu protection zone
Record of visitors – the occupier of any premises in the zone where poultry or other captive birds are kept must make records of:
- The name and address of any person visiting the premises (unless the visit is only to a part of the premises where people live and where no poultry or other captive birds are kept);
- The date of the visit;
- Whether the person had any contact with poultry or other captive birds on the premises.
Record of poultry – the occupier of any premises in the zone must make a record of all poultry entering or leaving those premises as soon as reasonably practicable after the movement.
Record of poultry and egg movements – any person who is engaged in the transport or marketing of poultry or poultry eggs in the zone must make a record as soon as reasonably practicable of all poultry and poultry eggs transported or marketed by him/her.
Poultry movements to be recorded – the records referred to above must include the quantity and description (including species of poultry or type of egg) transported or marketed.
In the case of a movement from premises in the zone, it must include:
- The date of the movement off the premises;
- The premises of destination (if known);
- The name and address of the person to whom ownership or possession is being or has been transferred;
In the case of a movement on to premises in the zone, it must include:
- The date of the movement;
- The premises from which the movement originated (if known);
- The name and address of the person from whom ownership or possession is being or has been transferred;
In the case of marketing without an associated movement, the identity and address of the person to whom and the date on which ownership was transferred must be included.
Isolation of poultry and other captive birds
The occupier of premises in the zone where poultry or other captive birds are kept must ensure that they are housed or kept isolated (if so directed by a veterinary inspector on the basis that housing is impractical or would adversely affect the birds’ welfare to a significant degree).
Measures where birds not housed
If birds are kept isolated but not housed, the occupier must ensure that they have no contact with poultry or other captive birds on other premises; and take all reasonable steps to minimise their contact with wild birds, in accordance with a veterinary inspector’s instructions.
Biosecurity measures
The occupier and any person entering or leaving premises in the zone where poultry, other captive birds or eggs are kept must:
- Take such biosecurity measures as they consider necessary to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza to or from the premises;
- And comply with any biosecurity requirements which a veterinary inspector or an inspector under the direction of a veterinary inspector, by notice to him/her, imposes.
A comprehensive guide of actions for those affected by a restriction zone notice can be found on the UK Government website.
