NEW measures have been introduced to stop the spread of bird flu as cases soar. Chief Veterinary Officers in England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.

From midday on Monday (October 17), it became a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu.
Implementing the highest levels of biosecurity measures on farm is the most effective way to reduce the risk of disease spreading within flocks, according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The introduction of the AIPZ comes after the country has faced its largest ever outbreak of avian flu, with 190 cases confirmed across the United Kingdom since late October 2021 – more than 30 of these confirmed since the beginning of the month.

The East of England has been particularly badly hit with outbreaks in poultry and captive birds, although there have been outbreaks in the south west and in wild birds at multiple sites across Great Britain.
Now, 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 that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and 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.
In a joint statement the Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales said: “Bird keepers have faced the largest ever outbreak of avian flu this year and with winter brings an even more increased risk to flocks as migratory birds return to the United Kingdom.

“Scrupulous biosecurity and hygiene measures is the best form of defence, which is why we have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain, meaning that all bird keepers must take action to help prevent the disease spreading to more poultry and other domestic birds.
“The introduction of an AIPZ means regardless of whether you keep a few birds or thousands, you are legally required to meet enhanced biosecurity requirements to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”
The introduction of an AIPZ follows a decision to raise the risk level for avian influenza incursion in wild Birds in Great Britain from ‘medium’ to ‘high’.

For poultry and captive birds, the risk level has been raised from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ at premises where biosecurity is below the required standards, and from ‘low’ to ‘medium’ where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.
The AIPZ, now in force across Great Britain, does not include a nationwide requirement to house birds. However, this is being kept under constant review, the authority said. It does mean that all birdkeepers must:
• Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds)
• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy
• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures
• Reduce any 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 the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources
• Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds
Keepers should familiarise themselves with the avian flu advice and report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.
The rules will be in place until further notice.