The United Kingdom faces its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza

Over the last year, the United Kingdom has faced its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza. The introduction of a mandatory regional housing order for all poultry and captive birds in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex came into effect on 12 October following the detection of the disease at numerous premises in those areas since the beginning of September, and on 17 October the Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds. From midday on Monday 17 October, it has therefore been a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu, the risk of which is expected to continue to rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK.

The housing order has made it illegal for any captive birds to be released in these areas until such time as the measures are lifted. It is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in these hotspots to keep their birds housed and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size. Bird keepers are advised to consult the interactive map to check if they are impacted, and should then read the new regional AIPZ with housing measure declaration which sets out the requirements in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex.

The new housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures that were brought in as part of the AIPZ that covered Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex last month, and which now cover all of Great Britain. The AIPZ means that all bird keepers must take extra precautions, such as restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures, and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

The housing measure means bird keepers in the affected area must:

• house or net all poultry and captive birds.
• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing.
• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control.
• keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production.
• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis.
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points.
• minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds.
• prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas.

The UK Health Security Agency continue to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advice remains unchanged, that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Avian influenza is a notifiable animal disease in kept birds. If any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds is suspected, it must be reported immediately in England to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by calling 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence. Keepers of poultry and captive birds should also familiarise themselves with the avian influenza advice that has been produced by Defra and APHA.

Members of the public should not touch or handle dead birds. They should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if they find one or more dead bird of prey or owl, 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks), 5 or more dead birds of any species. They should also contact and alert their local authority if the carcasses are on public land.

Defra has also set out practical guidance to support land managers, the public and ornithological and environmental organisations in their response to the growing threat of avian influenza to wild birds. The 'Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales' sets out how these groups, together with the government and its delivery partners, can mitigate the impact of avian influenza on wild bird populations whilst protecting public health, the wider environment and the rural economy.

It is essential that the shooting community continues to play its part in helping to reduce the spread and impact of avian influenza. The Countryside Alliance, alongside our partners in Aim to Sustain, has therefore produced a Q&A to help explain how best to ensure activities minimise its spread. The Q&A will be updated as the situation evolves.