New laws to protect against spread of bird flu

Bird keepers in Bury are reminded that new laws regarding their housing come into place today (Monday 7 Nov) to protect against avian flu.

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu, with more than 200 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021.An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has now been declared across Great Britain.

This means that, regardless of whether you keep a few birds or thousands, you must keep the birds indoors and follow stringent biosecurity measures to protect flocks from the disease.

The new AIPZ means bird keepers must:

• house or net all poultry and captive birds
• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
• keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
• minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
• prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas

If you keep birds in Bury you are advised to register as a keeper – go to Register as a keeper of birds in the borough of Bury

Lesley Jones, Bury’s director of public health, said: " I want to reassure residents that the risk to public health from avian flu is very low.

"However, it is important that people do not pick up any sick or dead birds to avoid spreading the virus, which can affect humans in rare cases.

"If you do find any dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds while out and about, please report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

"I would also urge bird keepers to be vigilant for any signs of disease and report any suspected cases to their nearest Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA office).”

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols. The APHA will collect some of these birds and test them to understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird.

Avian influenza is in no way connected to the COVID-19 pandemic which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is not carried in poultry.

More information

How to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it: 

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#public [TB1]