An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across Britain making it a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict measures.
It means it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu.
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 and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
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 Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the risk to public health from the virus is very low.
Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency advises that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for consumers.
Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
The AIPZ means bird keepers across Britain must:
- keep free ranging birds within fenced areas.
- Ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off.
- Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy.
- Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures.
- Reduce existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas.
- Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
- Ensure areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds.
- Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds.
Keepers should familiarise themselves with avian flu advice and report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.
Poultry keepers and members of the public should consult the latest guidance to check the latest threshold for reporting dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and not touch or pick them up.
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