Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in place across England
Defra also announced new housing orders in England.
A new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been ordered by the UK’s chief veterinary officer to cover the whole of England.
The zone came into force on Saturday, 25 January amidst increasing concerns about avian influenza risk levels in wild birds.
Under the Defra rules, bird keepers must now practice enhanced biosecurity measures to prevent further outbreaks. The chief veterinary officer also urges bird keepers to remain alert for signs of the disease and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
The AIPZ applies to all bird keepers, including those keeping pet birds, commercial flocks and birds in a backyard flock.
Defra has also announced new changes to housing orders across England from Monday, 27 January.
The housing order in the north of England has been extended to cover York and north Yorkshire. A new housing order has also been announced for Shropshire after cases were discovered in the county.
Other places with housing orders include East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
These areas must follow the strictest levels of biosecurity. The mandatory housing also applies to any 3km Protection Zone which surrounds an infected premises.
Bird keepers should consult the interactive map to see how they are affected, and then consult either the guidance for regional areas with or without housing measures for further details.
Further details about the ongoing situation and specific guidance for bird keepers can also be found on the government website. This includes measures such as cleansing and disinfecting clothing, vehicles and footwear if someone suspects they have been in contact with avian influenza.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, 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.”
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With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
