Scotland’s
Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Sheila Voas, has confirmed that birds on a
small commercial premises of mixed poultry and captive birds, near Annan,
Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway have tested positive for highly pathogenic
avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
In order to
limit the further spread of disease, appropriate restrictions have been imposed,
and a 3 km Protection Zone and 10 km Surveillance Zone have been declared,
which took effect at 21:30pm 09 December. Within these zones, a range
of different controls and restrictions are implemented. These include
restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter
and manure.
Keepers
can find out if their premises is in a zone on this interactive map.
A number of
birds on the premises have already succumbed to disease and the Animal and
Plant Health Agency (APHA) will carry out humane culling of the remaining birds
for disease control and animal welfare purposes.
Outbreak
Overview
The
confirmation of this case of HPAI H5N1 is the third in Scotland in the current
2021/22 AI season, with HPAI H5N1 being confirmed at premises near Arbroath,
Angus, on 03 November 2021 and near Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway on 03
December 2021. These cases are part of a wider outbreak that has involved
cases of HPAI H5N1 across Great Britain:
·
34
are in England
·
3
are in Wales
·
3
are in Scotland
·
2
are in Northern Ireland
This is now the
largest ever UK outbreak of avian influenza with 42 confirmed cases (prior to
this, the largest number was 26 cases of HPAI in the UK in 2020/2021 and 13
cases in 2016/2017).
In light of
these outbreaks and high numbers of findings among wild bird populations in the
UK, the risk of incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5
infection in wild birds is at VERY HIGH (occurs often). The
risk of poultry and captive bird exposure to HPAI H5 across Great Britain is at
HIGH where biosecurity is sub-optimal, and is at MEDIUM where
stringent biosecurity measures are applied.
Advice to
Keepers
The further
detection of HPAI H5N1 in Scotland, and the cases highlighted above, do
not alter the advice from Public Health Scotland that the risk to human
health from the virus is very low, and food standards bodies advise that avian
influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. It does
not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs.
Producers and bird keepers are reminded
that they are legally required to comply with the Order to house birds
that came in to effect, as part of an Avian Influenza Protection Zone
(AIPZ), on 29 November 2021, and to follow biosecurity procedures, regardless
of the number of birds being kept. Keepers who are concerned about the
health or welfare of their flock should seek veterinary advice immediately.
Clinical signs
indicative of avian influenza must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health
Agency (APHA) Field Office.
Failure to do so is an offence.
High standards of biosecurity
must be maintained as good practice for the health of your birds, and 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.
Compliance
with AIPZ Housing Measures
As
previously stated, within the AIPZ is it a legal requirement to house your birds
or otherwise keep them separate from wild birds. Avian influenza
controls, including the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), are enforced by
Trading Standards or the Environmental Health Service of a Local Authority.
See our postcode tool available
on gov.scot to find details of how to
contact your Local Authority with any reports of non-compliance.
GB
Poultry Register
In GB, you are
legally required to register your birds if you keep more than 50 birds. Keepers
with less than 50 birds are strongly encouraged to register. It is also a legal requirement
to notify APHA of any significant changes in the average number of birds kept.
Further advice
for keepers can be found at avian influenza advice.
