A prevention zone to protect poultry and captive birds from a strain of avian flu has been declared in Wales.
Last week, we reported that officials were concerned about two cases being detected in England, on in Cheshire, and now the local Trading Standards Team are warning Powys’ poultry owners to keep their birds indoors or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds.
The Welsh Government has introduced enhanced biosecurity requirements to mitigate the risk of infection following the recent confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 across the border.
A veterinary risk assessment for Great Britain shows that the risk level for disease in wild birds is now ‘high’. The risk associated with direct and indirect transmission to poultry has also increased to ‘medium’.
Although there are currently no findings of avian influenza in Wales, the Wales-wide avian prevention zone has been introduced as a precautionary measure in response to the increased risk level.
All keepers of poultry and other captive birds, irrespective of how they are kept, are now required to take the following steps:
Keepers with more than 500 birds are required to take extra biosecurity measures, including restricting access to non-essential people, changing clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles.
The Welsh Government is continuing to monitor the situation closely and has increased its surveillance activity.
Cllr Graham Breeze, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Protection at Powys County Council, said: “The prevention zone has been declared to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds so poultry and captive bird keepers must now put the appropriate biosecurity measures in place.
“Poultry keepers should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds or any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from a vet if they have any concerns.
“Powys County Council and Welsh Government have Animal Health Disease Contingency Plans in place for dealing with an avian influenza outbreak, should one occur in the area.”
More information on avian influenza can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu