New Case in England
- Highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in birds at a
premises near Ross-on-Wye, Hereford and
South Herefordshire, Herefordshire on the 20 January 2022. A
3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place
around the premises (zones in force from 20:00 20 January 2022). All birds
on the infected premises will be humanely culled.
·
Following successful completion of disease control
activities and surveillance within the disease control zones surrounding the
premises the 3km Protection Zone has ended, and the relevant areas have been
merged with the 10km Surveillance Zone. A 10km Surveillance Zone remains in
force surrounding these premises.
- near Sudbury, Babergh, South
Suffolk, England (zones merged 20 January 2022)
- near Mouldsworth, Cheshire
West and Chester, Cheshire, England (zones merged 18 January
2022)
Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zones surrounding the premises remaining disease control zones surrounding the following premises have been revoked. Local movement restrictions have now been removed but the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures remain in place.
- near Gretna, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and
Galloway, Scotland (revoked 17 January 2022)
- near Annan, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and
Galloway, Scotland (revoked 16 January 2022)
- near Leominster, North Herefordshire,
Herefordshire (revoked 14 January 2022)
- near Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway,
Scotland (revoked 14 January 2022)
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, 82 cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in the UK:
- England:
69 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/bird-flu for further information.
High standards of biosecurity must be maintained as good practice for the health of your bird. 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.
