Authorities have ordered a cull of 8,000 free vary hens following affirmation of highly-pathogenic chicken flu on a farm in Cumbria.
Avian influenza of the H5N1 subtype was confirmed on Sunday night (2 July) at a premises close to Bootle.
A 3km safety zone and a ten km surveillance zone have been declared across the premises, Defra mentioned.
All the affected 8,000 free vary hens shall be humanely culled, the division added.
The case is the second in latest days, as extremely pathogenic avian influenza was detected in captive birds in West Sussex final week.
The size of outbreaks throughout the UK and Europe have been unprecedented, with over 350 instances confirmed throughout the nation since late October 2021.
The federal government lifted the obligatory housing order in April, as the danger of illness incursion had lowered.
Nonetheless, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) stays in power throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, mentioned that scrupulous biosecurity remained essentially the most essential type of defence to assist hold birds secure.
“It’s because of the exhausting work of all chicken keepers and vets who’ve performed their half in maintaining flocks secure this winter that we’re ready to take this motion.
“Nonetheless, the unprecedented nature of this outbreak has confirmed it’s extra essential than ever for chicken keepers to stay vigilant for indicators of illness and keep stringent requirements of biosecurity.
“Those that intend to permit their birds outdoors are suggested to make use of the upcoming days to arrange their outdoors areas for the discharge of their birds.
“This can embody cleaning and disinfection of exhausting surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of untamed chicken deterrents.”
What can I do to strengthen biosecurity?
The AIPZ requires keepers of poultry and different captive birds to take acceptable and practicable steps to forestall avian influenza, together with:
• Protecting stored birds off land that’s recognized to be, or at excessive danger of being, frequented by wild waterfowl, or contaminated by their droppings or feathers.
• Make sure the areas the place birds are stored are unattractive to wild birds, particularly waterfowl, for instance, by netting ponds and surrounding areas and by eradicating wild chicken meals sources;
• Feed and water birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
• Minimise motion of individuals out and in of chicken enclosures;
• Clear and disinfect footwear, use foot dips earlier than coming into poultry enclosures, and hold areas the place birds dwell clear and tidy;
• Guarantee all bedding, gear, clothes and the rest that enters the areas the place birds are stored are freed from direct or oblique contamination with HPAI, which is principally unfold via chicken droppings.
• Maintain home geese and geese separate from different poultry.
• All of those steps are essential in defending birds. Alongside these, finishing the obligatory biosecurity self-assessment can additional assist keepers establish the measures wanted to be taken to make sure the security of their flock.
Findings of lifeless wild birds ought to proceed to be reported to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and keepers ought to proceed to promptly report suspicion of illness of their birds to APHA on 0300 303 8268.
