Guidance
New Avian Influenza guidance
issued for vets dealing with wild birds and backyard poultry
- The British
Veterinary Association (BVA) have published in conjunction with British
Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA), British Small Animal Veterinary
Association (BSAVA), British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) and the
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) guidance for vets dealing with wild
birds and backyard poultry during the avian influenza outbreak available
at https://www.bva.co.uk/resources-support/client-guides/avian-influenza-ai-advice-for-vets-dealing-with-wild-birds-and-backyard-poultry/
New Cases in England
- Highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in birds at the
following premises:
- sixth
premises near Thirsk, Hambleton, North Yorkshire
- near
Tutbury, East Staffordshire, Staffordshire
- near
Leominster, North Herefordshire, Herefordshire
- A 3km
Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around
each of the premises.
Northern Ireland
- No cases of
avian influenza have been confirmed to date in Northern Ireland. However,
a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ-B) has been declared in Northern Ireland
effective from 21:00 on the 30 November 2021, following the confirmation
of Avian Influenza H5N1 at a third premises in County Monaghan in the Republic
of Ireland. As the location of the premises lies close to the border
between County Monaghan and County Armagh, the boundary of the 10km zone
extends into Northern Ireland. See the DAERA website for further information.
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 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, 28 cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in GB:
- 25 are in
England: 25 cases of HPAI H5N1
- 1 is in
Scotland: 1 case of HPAI H5N1
- 2 are in
Wales: 2 cases of HPAI H5N1
- No cases
have been confirmed in Northern Ireland.
This is now the largest ever UK outbreak of avian influenza
with 28 confirmed cases (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.
