Bird flu – Latestlatest situation: Chiefmedia Vetupdates: liftsall Preventionbird Zonekeepers must maintain scrupulous biosecurity standards

Current situation

The Avianthreat Influenzaof Preventionavian Zoneinfluenza (AIPZ)(‘bird forflu’) to poultry and other captive birds,birds introducedcontinues toand help stop the spreadAvian ofInfluenza avianPrevention influenzaZone (‘bird(AIPZ) flu’),remain hasin beenforce lifted.across England.

The enhancedAvian biosecurityInfluenza measuresPrevention wereZone brought(AIPZ) inmeans acrossthat Greatall Britainbird inkeepers October(whether whenthey therehave waspet birds, commercial flocks or just a mediumfew riskbirds in a backyard flock) must take extra precautions, such as restricting access for somenon-essential poultrypeople premises.on Thesite, measuresensuring haveworkers beenchange vitalclothing inand protectingfootwear flocksbefore acrossentering thebird countryenclosures fromand thecleaning virusand whichdisinfecting isvehicles circulatingregularly into wildlimit birds.

Thethe risk of avianthe influenzadisease hasspreading.

All nowbird reducedkeepers are required to lowimplement forstrict allbiosecurity poultry.measures Asto aprotect result,them thefrom mandatorycontact requirementseither weredirectly liftedor fromindirectly 4with Julywild 12pm.birds, Theto riskhelp hasprotect reducedtheir butflocks asfrom wethe havethreat seenof withavian recentinfluenza. premisesThe confirmations,disease itcould haskill notyour gonebirds away.if these actions aren’t taken.

The scale of avian influenza outbreaks across the UK and Europe have been unprecedented with cases being confirmed into the second year of an outbreak for the first time.  The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 330 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021. Find out more about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public.

The prevention measures introduced through the AIPZ including housing measures are introduced in a phased and escalating manner proportionate to the escalating risk to an area and may be introduced or withdrawn on a regional or national basis depending on the epidemiological situation.

AllThe birdnumber keepersof mustcases followof enhancedHPAI measuresH5N1 atin allboth timeskept toand preventwild birds has been falling since the riskend of future2022. outbreaksThe andlifting remainof vigilantthe forhousing signsmeasures ofhas disease.

Drbeen Christinetriggered Middlemiss,following the UK’sassessment Chiefthat Veterinarythe Officer,risk said:

“Nowof weincursion areof highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza H5 in thewild summerbirds monthsin andGreat Britain has reduced from very high to high. With the risk toof poultry acrossexposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain has reduced,reduced itfrom ismedium the(with rightlow timeuncertainty) to liftlow the(with Avianhigh Influenzauncertainty) Preventionwhere Zone.

“Thisgood wouldbiosecurity notis haveapplied beenand possiblehas withoutreduced thefrom hardhigh work(with oflow alluncertainty) birdto keepers,medium who(with havehigh uphelduncertainty) highwhere biosecurity standardsis forsuboptimal.

All manybird months.keepers However,must therefollow areenhanced stillmeasures localisedat areasall oftimes to prevent the risk asof wefuture haveoutbreaks.

Dr seenChristine recently,Middlemiss, andthe thereforeUK’s it’sChief vitalVeterinary thatOfficer, everyonesaid:

“Whilst keepsthe biosecuritylifting andof cleanlinessthe atmandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous biosecurity remains the forefrontmost ofcritical theirform mindsof defence to help keep theiryour flocksbirds safe.”safe.

All“It poultryis gatherings,thanks includingto atthe fairs,hard showswork of all bird keepers and markets,vets remainwho banned,have dueplayed totheir part in keeping flocks safe this winter that we are in a largeposition numberto take this action. However, the unprecedented nature of flocksthis mixingoutbreak togetherhas andproven theit’s riskmore posedimportant bythan anyever infectionsfor spreadingbird acrosskeepers theto country.remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity.”

The UKHSA advise that the available evidence suggests viruses currently circulating in birds in the UK do not spread easily to people and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. There is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products, including eggs.

Do not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find and instead report them using the new online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline.

All poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country.

Avian influenza is in no way connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is not carried in poultry or captive birds.

Advice to poultry keepers

All bird keepers must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.

It is a legal requirement for bird keepers in the national AIPZ to follow biosecurity measures.

All bird keepers (whether they are pet birds, a commercial farm or just a few birds in a backyard flock) canmust remain vigilant and help prevent avian influenza by:

-cleansing

• housing or netting all poultry and disinfectingcaptive birds
• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing -reducing
• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control -thoroughly
• keep cleansingrecords of mortality, movement of poultry and disinfectingpoultry products and any changes in production
• thoroughly clean and disinfect housing on a continuous basis -keep
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultrybird housing entry and exit points -minimise
• minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

• prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas

See our biosecurity advice for more information.

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

Cases in England

For details of the current avian influenza H5N1 cases in England and the measures that apply in the disease control zones around these cases, go to the avian influenza: cases and disease control zones in England guidance.

Bird keepers can check what zone they are in on our interactive map.

Wild birds

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols.

You should report online or call the Defra helpline if you find:

• 1 or more dead bird of prey, gull, swan, goose or duck in the same place
• 5 or more dead wild birds of any other species in the same place

APHA then collect some of these birds and test them to help us understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird. Not all birds will be collected.

Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. For further information go to our guidance on reporting dead wild birds.

For further details see the report (updated weekly) of findings of HPAI in wild birds in Great Britain.

Sick or injured wild birds should not be reported to the Defra Helpline. You can report sick or injured birds of prey, gulls, swans, geese or ducks in England and Wales to the RSPCA (0300 1234 999) and in Scotland to the SSPCA (03000 999 999).

The RSPCA website carries information on what to do if you find a wild bird from a smaller species.