Necessary housing measures for all poultry and captive birds are to be launched to all areas of England from 00:01 on Monday 7 November, following a choice by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
The housing measures legally require all hen keepers to maintain their birds indoors and to comply with stringent biosecurity measures to assist defend their flocks from the illness, no matter kind or dimension.
The order will prolong the obligatory housing measures already in power within the sizzling spot space of Suffolk, Norfolk and components of Essex to the entire of England following a rise within the nationwide threat of hen flu in wild birds to very excessive.
During the last 12 months, the UK has confronted its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza with over 200 instances confirmed since late October 2021. The introduction of the housing measures comes after the illness was detected at over 70 premises because the starting of October, in addition to a number of studies in wild birds.
The Chief Veterinary Officer is now encouraging all hen keepers throughout England to make use of the remainder of the week to arrange, together with taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, seek the advice of their non-public vet and broaden housing the place obligatory.
The UK Well being Safety Company continues to advise that the chance to public well being from the virus may be very low and the Meals Requirements Company recommendation stays unchanged, that avian influenzas pose a really low meals security threat for UK customers. Correctly cooked poultry and poultry merchandise, together with eggs, are suitable for eating.
Discover out extra from DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Well being Company
