Avian Flu in Backyard Flock
A backyard flock near Settle, North Yorkshire has been confirmed to have an outbreak of H5N8, bird flu. The infected premises has a 10km surveillance zone placed around it and a 3km protection zone to prevent the bird flu spreading, any surviving ducks and chickens from the small flock have been humanely culled.
This bird flu outbreak in a backyard flock just highlights the importance of all poultry owners, commercial poultry farmers, and hobby keepers all need the same vigilance to prevent further outbreaks. It is essential to follow the guidelines and do everything you can to keep them away from wild birds.
Defra’s advice
Poultry farmers need to remain vigilant, to follow our advice on biosecurity, and to comply fully with the prevention zone and temporary gatherings ban. The risk to kept birds cannot be eliminated by housing alone. This virus can be carried into buildings on people and things to infect birds. Good biosecurity measures are essential.
Bird flu outbreak in a swannery in Dorset
80 birds have died so far this winter at Abbotsbury Swannery. After testing 9 dead swans the H5N8 strain of bird flu also known as avian flu or avian influenza has been confirmed. 9 mute swans have been confirmed to have the H5N8 strain of bird flu but testing stops when the disease has been confirmed. So it is inconclusive whether any further of the 80 dead swans were infected but a normal loss of swans through the winter period would be 30 – 40.
As the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery are wild it is not possible to completely confine them but measures have been taken to prevent spreading of the disease.
Outbreak of bird flu in North Wales
A “highly pathogenic” outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in North Wales putting nearby Shropshire and Mid Wales on alert.
Chief veterinary officer Professor Christianne Glossop said:
“Even when birds are housed, there remains a risk of infection and keepers of poultry and other captive birds should ensure every effort is made to prevent contact with wild birds.“The movement of poultry should be minimised and clothing and equipment should always be disinfected.”
Bird flu at RSPB Conwy reserve
A wild duck was found dead at the RSPB Conwy reserve on the 28th of December, it’s body was found in an area not open to the public. Tests confirmed that it had the H5N8 strain of bird flu
The Welsh Government said the latest finding was “not unexpected”.
A spokesman added: “It follows increased surveillance and calls for the public to notify any finding of dead geese, ducks, and swans to the Defra helpline”.
Bird flu restriction lifted in Lincolnshire
In December of 2016 an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in a Louth farm. On the 9th of January, the 3km protection zone surrounding the farm was lifted, this was the first UK outbreak. There is still a 10km surveillance zone around the Lincolnshire farm.
For information on avian influenza symptoms
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