Measures to maintain all poultry and captive birds indoors in England to stop the unfold of hen flu have come into drive.
The nationwide housing measures, which had been introduced final week and are being launched from Monday, are aimed toward stopping home birds from interacting with wild birds.
It comes because the UK has been dealing with its largest outbreak of hen flu with greater than 200 circumstances confirmed on business premises, smallholdings and in pet birds since October final yr.
The Authorities mentioned everybody should preserve their birds inside no matter the kind of hen or numbers saved.
They’re additionally being urged to comply with different biosecurity measures mandated by the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) always to guard their flock and forestall the danger of future outbreaks.
These embody cleaning and disinfecting footwear and clothes earlier than and after contact with birds, lowering the motion of individuals on to premises and storing bedding correctly so it doesn’t get contaminated by wild birds.
The Authorities has warned house owners that avian influenza might kill home birds if motion isn’t taken.
The brand new measures are being launched after the illness was confirmed at over 90 premises and has been discovered in additional than 200 useless wild birds for the reason that begin of October.
Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, mentioned: “Many poultry keepers in England have wonderful biosecurity requirements however we all know that one small mistake is all it takes to introduce hen flu on to premises and kill flocks.
“A housing order alone won’t be sufficient to scale back an infection charges. Implementing scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks from wild birds stays the very best type of defence.
“Whether or not you retain only a few birds or hundreds, from right this moment onwards they have to be housed below cowl to guard them from this extremely infectious illness.”
The UK Well being Safety Company continues to advise that the danger to public well being from the virus could be very low.
The Meals Requirements Company recommendation that avian influenzas pose a really low meals security danger for UK shoppers additionally stays unchanged.
