Important information if you keep poultry
Published: Wednesday, 7 December, 2016
The Government Chief Vet has declared a number of measures to help protect poultry from a strain of Avian Flu in Europe.
Keepers of poultry and other captive birds are required to keep their birds indoors and to take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds.
The Chief Veterinary Officer has declared a Prevention Zone introducing enhanced biosecurity requirements for poultry and captive birds, helping protect them from a strain of avian flu circulating in mainland Europe. The zone covers the whole of England and will remain in place for 30 days.
Poultry keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns.
Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) have been confirmed in poultry and wild birds in several countries across Europe. No cases of H5N8 have been found in the UK and this order is a precautionary measure to help prevent potential infection from wild birds.
Public Health England advises that the threat to human health is very low.
Further information can be found on the UK Government website www.gov.uk