An outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed at a Nottinghamshire poultry farm. A commercial farm near Lowdham has an outbreak of avian flu just days after the Government relaxed its mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds.
A 3km and 10km surveillance zone has been put in place around the infected farm to restrict animal movements. Nottinghamshire County Council's Trading Standards have issued advice and are working with Newark and Sherwood District Council to limit the spread of the disease.
The Trading Standards are reminding all bird keepers in the surveillance zone that it is a legal requirement to follow the measures put in place. They will also be visiting properties in the 3km zone to identify any households keeping birds or poultry to advise them of the new restrictions.
Read more: 'Watch your speed' warning as Nottinghamshire Police target Rushcliffe in operation
Road signs will be put in place to notify people that they are entering the 10km surveillance zone. Nottinghamshire County Council stress that Avian Influenza is in no way connected to Covid-19 which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is not carried in poultry. UK Health Security Agency advises that although the risk to human health from the virus is very low, people can catch bird flu via direct contact with a live or dead bird carrying the virus, or via direct contact with bird faeces from a bird carrying the virus.
Therefore, they say it is vital that anyone spotting any sick or dead birds does not touch them and that they contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Humans cannot catch bird flu through airborne particles and there is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products, including eggs.
Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities Committee, said: “The news of this confirmed case of avian flu in Nottinghamshire is upsetting and will obviously be of concern to residents and visitors to the area. However, the risk of the disease transferring from birds to humans is considered to be very low.
"That said, it is important that local bird owners know about the restrictions and follow the rules that are in place within the protection and surveillance zones. I also want to remind people not to touch or move any sick or dead birds that they find and for dog owners to keep their pets away from them.”
Anyone who finds dead wild water birds (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey should report them to the DEFRA helpline (03459 33 55 77). Bird keepers should report suspicion of disease in England to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
