New prevention zone to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza
From 8pm on 21 November 2021, a new avian influenza avoidance zone will be declared in areas of North Yorkshire in England, namely the districts of Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire, which indicates that it is a lawful necessity for all fowl keepers in that area to keep their birds indoors and to observe demanding biosecurity steps in get to restrict the distribute of and eradicate the disorder.
Next a hazard evaluation, a localized avian influenza prevention zone with additional housing actions has been declared in these districts to assistance lessen the danger from wild birds and other sources. Housing is nonetheless only a single portion of illness avoidance and management and it is critical that all fowl keepers put into practice the best standards of biosecurity the two at the perimeter of their properties and inside of the premises to protect against illness being spread in between diverse houses.
The Govt Main Veterinary Officer is urging bird keepers to act right away in response to the new housing localized steps, including using actions to safeguard animal welfare, seek the advice of their vet and where necessary place up extra housing.
The Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said:

We have taken swift action to restrict the possibility from wild birds and have launched a legal necessity for all poultry and captive hen keepers three districts in North Yorkshire to hold their birds housed and to employ increased biosecurity.


Whether or not you maintain just a couple birds or hundreds, from 8PM these days onwards you will be legally demanded to retain your birds indoors. We have not taken this determination frivolously, but it is the greatest way to shield your birds from this extremely infectious disease.


I urge all chook keepers to be vigilant and just take all important actions to apply the best standards of biosecurity.”

Community wellness advice is that the threat to human overall health from the virus is quite lower and meals specifications bodies recommend that avian influenza pose a really low foods basic safety possibility for United kingdom consumers, and it does not impact the usage of poultry solutions which includes eggs.
For extra suggestions and standard updates on the most current scenario, pay a visit to the Government’s avian flu site (England).
Poultry and captive hen keepers ought to report suspicion of ailment to APHA in England on 03000 200 301, Wales on 0300 3038268 and in Scotland through the Local Discipline Service Business office.
Even more facts
- 
- Where avian influenza is confirmed in poultry or other captive birds at an individual premises, Security and Surveillance Zones are declared to prevent the unfold of condition over and above the region close to the contaminated farm. Keepers of poultry or other captive birds stored within just a Safety Zone or Surveillance Zone (or temporary regulate zones or other small pathogenic restricted zones) ought to comply with the biosecurity specifications declared exclusively for these kinds of zones. This does not clear away the obligation to comply with the further biosecurity actions essential by this Declaration, together with improved biosecurity measures if the premises consists of a massive figures of birds.
- Biosecurity guidance can be discovered here
- Avian influenza is in no way linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is not carried in poultry.
- For a lot more tips and frequent updates on the newest situation, take a look at Governments’ avian flu web pages: in England, Scotland, Wales and NI.
- Food safety advice for cooking poultry and eggs continues to be unchanged. See NHS tips on protected cooking of eggs and poultry.
- We publish a report (current on a regular basis) on results of really pathogenic avian influenza (hen flu) in wild birds in Wonderful Britain offered below, and further more info on avian influenza conclusions in wild birds in GB and Europe can be discovered in our outbreak assessments.