UK orders avian influenza prevention zone as bird flu detections rise
4 November 2021, at 12:00am
According to the UK government, following a number of detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds across Great Britain, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the whole of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
According to the UK government, as of November 3, 2021:
· An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across Great Britain effective from 5pm on 3 November 2021 - see the AIPZ section for further information
· Avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in birds at a premises in the Angus constituency in Scotland. Further testing is underway to confirm the pathogenicity of the strain. 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zones have been put in place surrounding the premises
On November 2, 2021:
· The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales confirmed a case of H5N1 Avian Influenza at a premises near Chirk, Wrexham, Wales. Further testing has confirmed this to be a highly pathogenic strain (HPAI H5N1). Following confirmation of the pathogenicity, the Temporary Control Zones have been revoked and replaced by a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone in the relevant areas of England and Wales
· 3km and 10km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones remain in force surrounding a rescue centre near Droitwich Spa, Wychavon, Worcestershire
· There have been multiple findings of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds from sites across GB. See the UK government Wild birds in England section for further information
Declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) means that as of 5 pm on Wednesday November 3, 2021, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, including:
· Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites.
· Workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.
· Site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
Avian influenza circulates naturally in wild birds and when they migrate to the UK from mainland Europe over the winter they can spread the disease to poultry and other captive birds.
Backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese must also take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading to their animals.
The UK health agencies advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low, and the UK food standards agencies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
The introduction of the AIPZ comes after the disease was detected in captive birds at premises in England, Wales and Scotland. The disease has also been detected in wild birds at multiple sites across Great Britain.
Following a number of detections of avian influenza in wild birds across Great Britain we have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across the whole of Great Britain. This means that all bird keepers must take action now to prevent the disease spreading to poultry and other domestic birds.
Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you are now legally required to introduce higher biosecurity standards on your farm or small holding. It is in your interests to do so in order to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.
The UK health agencies have confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and UK food standards agencies advise that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.
JOINT STATEMENT THE CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICERS FOR ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES
The introduction of an AIPZ follows a decision to raise the risk level for avian influenza incursion in wild Birds in Great Britain from ‘medium’ to ‘high’. For poultry and captive birds the risk level has been raised from ‘low’ to ‘medium’ at premises where biosecurity is below the required standards, but remains ‘low’ where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.
The AIPZ now in force across GB does not include a requirement to house birds. However, this is being kept under constant review. With the increased risk of Avian Influenza during the winter, the need to include a mandatory housing requirement in the AIPZ may arise. Further disease control measures will be based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) means bird keepers across the country must:
· Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry;
· Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
· Feed and water their birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
· Minimise movement into and out of bird enclosures;
· Cleanse and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
· Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas;
· Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances, e.g. zoo birds).
The prevention zone will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu.
Poultry keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to Defra’s national dead wild bird helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (please select option 7) and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301. Keepers should familiarise themselves with the avian flu advice provided.
For further information on the AIPZ in:
· Scotland - see the Scottish Government website
· Wales - see the Welsh Government website
Editor
Sarah Mikesell grew up on a five-generation family farming operation in Ohio, USA, where her family still farms. She feels extraordinarily lucky to get to do what she loves - write about livestock and crop agriculture. You can find her on Twitter or LinkedIn.
