The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, has announced the establishment of a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) covering England, Wales, and Scotland in response to the increasing threat posed by the H5N8 avian flu virus.
Under the new regulations, all bird keepers are legally required to follow strict biosecurity rules to prevent the spread of the disease. Those who own more than 500 birds must limit access to their bird sites by prohibiting non-essential visitors, ensure staff change clothes and footwear before entering bird areas, and regularly clean and disinfect all site vehicles.
Backyard poultry owners with smaller flocks of chickens, ducks, or geese are also urged to enhance hygiene measures to protect their birds and reduce the risk of further outbreaks.
Public Health England (PHE) has reassured the public that the risk to humans remains very low. The Food Standards Agency supports this position, confirming that properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to consume.
Recent weeks have seen three confirmed H5N8 outbreaks in England’s poultry and captive birds, including a broiler breeder farm in Herefordshire and cases near Dorset. Thousands of birds have been culled as part of efforts to control the virus.
Christine Middlemiss said: “I have today declared a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) legislating for actions all bird keepers must take to help prevent the disease spreading to more poultry and other domestic birds.”
She added, “Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency advises that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.”
“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 disease.”
Key biosecurity rules bird keepers must follow include making bird areas unattractive to wild birds by netting ponds and removing wild bird food sources, feeding and watering birds in enclosed spaces, limiting movement in and out of bird enclosures, cleaning and disinfecting footwear regularly, keeping bird housing clean and tidy, disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy ground.
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone will remain in place until official notice is given to lift it.
Members of the public and bird owners are advised to report any dead wild birds to the Defra helpline at 03459 33 55 77 and suspected bird flu cases to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 03000 200 301. Bird keepers should regularly review official avian flu guidance to stay informed.
Vigilance is essential to protect the UK’s poultry flocks from this dangerous virus.
Originally published by UKNIP.
