Wednesday 15 December 2021

Defra - Avian Influenza Latest Situation - 14 December 2021

New Cases in England

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in birds at the following premises. All birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around each of the premises.

 

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, 54 cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in the UK:

  • 45 are in England: 45 cases of HPAI H5N1
  • 4 are in Scotland: 4 cases of HPAI H5N1
  • 3 are in Wales: 3 cases of HPAI H5N1
  • 2 are in Northern Ireland: 2 cases of HPAI H5N1 (plus 2 cases of slaughter on suspicion)

 

This is now the largest ever UK outbreak of avian influenza with 54 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.

 

Find out what you can do to keep your birds free of avian influenza by registering for Defra’s ‘stop the spread’ webinars.

 

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.