New Cases in England
- Highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 28 December 2021
in birds at a premises near North Somercotes, East
Lindsey, Lincolnshire. All birds on the infected premises will
be humanely culled. A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone
have been put in place around the premises (zones in force from 19:00 on
the 28 December 2021).
- Highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 28 December
2021 in birds at a premises near Watlington, King’s Lynn and West
Norfolk, Norfolk. All birds on the infected premises will be
humanely culled. A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km
Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the premises (zones in
force from 19:00 on the 28 December 2021).
Case Updates England
- Following
successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance
within the zones surrounding the following premises, the 3km Protection
Zones have ended and the 10km Surveillance Zones surrounding these
premises have been revoked. Local movement restrictions have now been
removed but the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures
remain in place.
- Near Salwick, Fylde,
Lancashire (effective from 20:15 on the
29 December 2021).
- Near Kirkham, Fylde
Lancashire (effective from 20:15 on the
29 December 2021).
- Near
Wells-next-the-sea, North Norfolk, Norfolk
(effective from 18:30 on the 24 December 2021).
Case Updates Wales
- Following
successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance
within the zones surrounding the following premises, the 10km Surveillance
Zone and the 10km Restricted Zone surrounding this premises have been
revoked. Local movement restrictions have now been removed but the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures
remain in place.
- Near Gaerwen, Isle of
Anglesey (effective from 13:30 on the 27
December 2021).
Case Updates Northern Ireland
- Following depopulation
and preliminary cleansing and disinfection at a premises in Broughshane, County Antrim,
the 3km Protection Zone has ended and been merged with the 10km
Surveillance Zone (effective from 18:00 on the 25 December 2021).
Keepers can check where disease control zones are located in
GB and if they are in zone on the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) interactive map,
and in Northern Ireland on DAERA’s interactive map.
For further information on these cases and details of the
measures that apply in the disease control zones currently in force see:
England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu-cases-and-disease-control-zones-in-england
This is particularly important given there are multiple overlapping zones.
Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu-latest-update
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/
Northern Ireland: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai
To receive immediate notification of new cases and updated
zones in GB please sign up to the APHA’s Animal Disease alert subscription
service further details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apha-alert-subscription-service
Outbreak Case Summary
In summary, since the first case confirmed in this outbreak
on the 26 October 2021, 70 cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in the
UK:
- England: 57
cases of HPAI H5N1
- Scotland: 5
cases of HPAI H5N1
- Wales: 3
cases of HPAI H5N1
- Northern
Ireland: 5 cases of HPAI H5N1
This is now the largest ever UK outbreak of avian influenza
(prior to this the largest number of cases was 26 cases in 2020/2021 and 13
cases in 2016/2017).
Bird keepers are reminded that an Avian Influenza Prevention
Zone (AIPZ) including housing measures is in force across the UK.
See GOV.UK for further information.
High standards of biosecurity must be maintained as good
practice for the health of your birds, and that good biosecurity is an
essential defence against diseases such as avian influenza and is key to
limiting the spread of avian influenza in an outbreak.
Keepers must keep a close watch on their birds for any signs
of disease, and seek prompt advice from a vet if they have any concerns.
Clinical signs indicative of avian influenza must be reported in England to
Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303
8268. In Scotland, contact to the local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an
offence.