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Defra extends avian flu prevention zone
The prevention zone makes it a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England to follow strict biosecurity measures.

Decision follows confirmation of the H5N6 strain in Warwickshire  

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has extended an avian flu prevention zone to the whole of England.

The news comes after the latest finding of the disease in 13 wild birds in Warwickshire, bringing the total number of confirmed infected wild birds in the UK to 44.

Last week (12 January), Defra confirmed the disease in 17 wild birds in Dorset and a total of 31 infected birds have now been found at that site. The department took swift action to put a local prevention zone in place. But, as these new findings show, the disease is not isolated to a single area.

Defra states that testing on the birds found in Warwickshire is underway, but it is expected that it will be the same H5N6 strain of the virus which has been circulating across wild birds in Europe. It adds that the decision to extend the zone has been taken ‘on a precautionary basis’.

The prevention zone makes it a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England to follow strict biosecurity measures. These include feeding and watering birds in enclosed areas and minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures.

Keepers with more than 500 birds will also be required to take extra biosecurity measures, including restricting access to non-essential people and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles.

“Following the latest finding of bird flu in wild birds in Warwickshire, we are extending our action to help prevent the virus spreading to poultry and other domestic birds,” said chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens.

“Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you are now legally required to meet enhanced biosecurity requirements and this is in your interests to do, to protect your birds from this highly infectious virus.”

Defra said the prevention zone will remain in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review. There are currently no plans to carry out any culls or put movement restrictions in place.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.