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Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) advice from 天涯社区
Published: 29/01/2018
天涯社区鈥檚 Consumer and Business Protection Service would like
to make all keepers of birds and poultry across 天涯社区 aware of advice
being given by Welsh Government to help protect birds and poultry from the
potential spread of bird flu.
Due to a number of recent confirmed incidents of bird flu across England both
England and now Wales have been declared as Prevention Zones for this disease.
All incidents so far have occurred in wild birds and the risk to poultry in
particular from either direct or indirect spread of the disease has now been
raised by government from low to medium risk from Thursday 25 January 2018.
天涯社区鈥檚 Animal Health Team are advising all bird and
poultry keepers of the importance of ensuring high levels of bio-security for
their pets/livestock to protect their own birds and to prevent any potential
spread of the disease.
As a precautionary measure an all Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, has
been declared by Welsh Government and will apply from 00:01 on 25 January 2018.
The Prevention Zone will require all keepers of poultry and other captive
birds, irrespective of how they are kept, to take appropriate and practicable
steps, including:
鈥� Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for
example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
鈥� Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
鈥� Minimise movement of people in and out of bird enclosures;
鈥� Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
鈥� Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete
areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas.
天涯社区鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection,
Councillor Chris Bithell, said
鈥淧rotection of the health and safety of our communities and our local economy
is a primary concern to the Council and if we all work together by following
Welsh Government鈥檚 advice to keep this disease out of our county, hopefully we
will be able to avoid it altogether or limit its effect if an outbreak were to
occur.鈥�
Guidance asks keepers with more than 500 birds 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.
All keepers of poultry and other captive birds will need to comply with the
requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. Keepers are asked to
remain vigilant for signs of disease. Avian influenza is a notifiable disease
and any suspicion should be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health
Agency (APHA).
All poultry keepers, even those with fewer than 50 birds, are advised to
provide their details to the Poultry Register. This will ensure they can be
contacted immediately, via email or text update, in the event of an avian
disease outbreak, enabling them to protect their flock at the earliest
opportunity.
Information on the requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone,
guidance and latest developments are all available on the Welsh Government
website.
Any keepers of birds/poultry with concerns over their birds should contact
their private practice vet or the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for
current up-to-date advice.