All poultry and captive birds in England have to be housed from Monday (November 7) because the nation faces its largest ever outbreak of fowl flu.
The obligatory housing measure comes into drive at 12.01am.
The brand new legislation signifies that all fowl keepers should preserve their birds indoors and observe stringent biosecurity measures to assist shield their flocks from the illness, no matter kind or dimension.
The order will prolong the obligatory housing measures already in drive within the scorching spot space of Suffolk, Norfolk and elements of Essex to the entire of England following a rise within the nationwide threat of fowl flu in wild birds to ‘very excessive’.
Over the past yr, the UK has confronted its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza with greater than 200 circumstances confirmed since late October 2021.
Since October 1 this yr there have been 91 circumstances confirmed.
The UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, mentioned: “We are actually going through this yr, the biggest ever outbreak of fowl flu and are seeing fast escalation within the variety of circumstances on industrial farms and in yard birds throughout England.
“The chance of saved birds being uncovered to illness has reached a degree the place it’s now crucial for all birds to be housed till additional discover.
“Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all methods, from wild birds stay the most effective type of defence.
“Whether or not you retain just some birds or 1000’s, from Monday, November 7 onwards you need to preserve your indoors.
“This resolution has not been taken flippantly, however is one of the best ways to guard your birds from this extremely infectious illness.”
Proof reveals that housing birds reduces the danger of saved birds being contaminated with fowl flu.
Nonetheless, housing alone is not going to shield birds and all keepers should nonetheless observe the opposite enhanced biosecurity measures mandated by the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) always to guard their flocks and forestall the danger of future outbreaks which is circulating in wild birds.
Housing mixed with stringent biosecurity measures can present even higher discount in threat.
The AIPZ signifies that all fowl keepers must take further precautions, comparable to proscribing entry for non-essential folks on website, guaranteeing employees change clothes and footwear earlier than getting into fowl enclosures and cleansing and disinfecting autos recurrently to restrict the danger of the illness spreading.
Biosecurity steering and a biosecurity self-assessment guidelines have been printed by Defra to assist all fowl keepers in instigating and sustaining good biosecurity, which along with additional updates on the most recent avian influenza state of affairs, will be discovered by way of GOV.UK/bird-flu
The addition of housing measures to the AIPZ already in drive throughout England means all fowl keepers throughout England should:
- housing or netting all poultry and captive birds
- cleanse and disinfect clothes, footwear, gear and autos earlier than and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if sensible, use disposable protecting clothes
- scale back the motion of individuals, autos or gear to and from areas the place poultry and captive birds are saved, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and different merchandise, and use efficient vermin management
- preserve data of mortality, motion of poultry and poultry merchandise and any modifications in manufacturing
- totally cleanse and disinfect housing on a steady foundation
- preserve recent disinfectant on the proper focus in any respect farm and poultry housing entry and exit factors
- minimise direct and oblique contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, together with ensuring all feed and water shouldn’t be accessible to wild birds
- stop entry by poultry to ponds and watercourses and be sure that birds are saved in fenced or enclosed areas
