Measures to keep all poultry and captive birds indoors in England amid the bird flu outbreak have come into force today (Monday). The national housing measures, which were announced last week, are being introduced today with the aim of preventing house birds from interacting with wild birds.
More than 200 cases have been confirmed as the UK faces its largest bird flu outbreak for some time. The Government has said everyone must keep their birds inside regardless of the type of bird or numbers kept.
To protect their flock and prevent the risk of future outbreaks, the Government is also being encouraged to follow other biosecurity measures mandated by the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). These include cleansing and disinfecting footwear and clothing before and after contact with birds, reducing the movement of people on to premises and storing bedding properly to prevent contamination by wild birds.
The Government has warned owners that avian influenza could kill house birds if action is not taken. The disease was confirmed at over 90 premises and has been found in over 200 dead wild birds since the start of October, so the government has been keen to enforce measures promptly.
Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, said: “Many poultry keepers in England have excellent biosecurity standards but we know that one small mistake is all it takes to introduce bird flu on to premises and kill flocks.
“A housing order alone will not be enough to reduce infection rates. Implementing scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks from wild birds remains the best form of defence.
“Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from today onwards they must be housed under cover to protect them from this highly infectious disease.”
The UK Health Security Agency advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low, while the Food Standards Agency's advice is that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers also remains unchanged.
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