The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer is urging all chicken keepers to comply with scrupulous biosecurity measures following the affirmation of Extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N5 in poultry in East Using of Yorkshire.
To stop additional unfold of the illness all poultry on the contaminated premises shall be humanely culled and a 3km safety zone and 10km surveillance zone has been put in place surrounding the premises.
Inside these illness management zones restrictions on the motion of poultry and different captive birds, carcases, eggs, used poultry litter and manure apply. Fowl keepers within the illness management zones could have the chance to use for motion licences for some particular low threat actions from the zones. Inside the 3km safety zone chicken keepers should additionally home their birds to guard them.
Illness management zones are solely lifted as soon as all illness management and surveillance actions within the zones have been efficiently accomplished and there are not any suspect instances beneath investigation within the zones.
All chicken keepers are urged to stay vigilant and take motion to guard their birds. Practising good biosecurity always protects the well being and welfare of saved birds and for business keepers will assist shield companies from HPAI and different ailments. Fowl keepers can discover out what they’ll do to stop chicken flu and cease it spreading and the right way to spot and report suspicion of avian influenza in poultry or different captive birds along with updates on the most recent scenario in Defra’s steerage at gov.uk/birdflu.
The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has stated that avian influenza is primarily a illness of birds and the danger to most people’s well being may be very low however individuals shouldn’t contact any lifeless or sick wild birds they discover.
The Meals Requirements Company advises that correctly cooked poultry and poultry merchandise, together with eggs, stay suitable for eating.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, stated:
Avian influenza (‘chicken flu’) has been confirmed in poultry at a premises in East Using of Yorkshire. Rapid steps have been taken to restrict the danger of the illness spreading and all remaining poultry on the farm shall be humanly culled.
The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has confirmed that the danger to most people’s well being may be very low, and the Meals Requirements Company (FSA) has stated that chicken flu doesn’t pose a meals security threat for UK customers.
Winter is a larger threat interval for avian influenza and this case demonstrates that, now’s the time in case you are a chicken keeper to make sure you have very strong biosecurity. Fowl keepers should stay alert for any indicators of illness and report suspected illness instantly.
In Nice Britain members of the general public are inspired to report findings of lifeless wild birds utilizing the on-line reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77). By reporting lifeless wild birds, you’re serving to Defra and APHA perceive, the danger to totally different species teams of untamed birds, the danger posed to poultry & different captive birds and the danger of overspill into mammals.
Notes to editors:
- Keepers can test if they’re in a chicken flu illness management zone utilizing the Animal and Plant Well being Company’s (APHA) interactive map. Additional info on the measures that apply within the zones might be present in Defra’s Fowl flu: guidelines in illness management zones in England – GOV.UK steerage and the zone declaration out there by way of the notifiable illness case finder on gov.uk.
- HPAI H5N5 and H5N1 have each been detected in wild birds in Nice Britain this autumn and the danger in wild birds has elevated from medium to excessive. The chance stage in poultry the place good biosecurity is constantly utilized always has elevated from very low to low with low uncertainty and whereas the danger in poultry the place there may be suboptimal or poor biosecurity stays assessed as low that is heightened with excessive uncertainty.
- Keepers should maintain a detailed watch on their birds and saved mammals (together with pets) for any indicators of illness, and search immediate recommendation from a vet if they’ve any issues.
- Keepers can discover additional info on the right way to spot and report chicken flu in poultry and different captive birds and the right way to maintain different pets, corresponding to cats and canine, protected from chicken flu in Defra’s steerage on gov.uk
- Scientific indicators indicative of an infection with an avian influenza virus have to be reported in England to Defra Rural Providers Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact to the native Subject Providers Workplace. Failure to take action is an offence.
- All chicken keepers should register their poultry and different captive birds (excluding sure psittacines and passerines), even when solely saved as pets. Registered keepers will obtain common updates and steerage to assist shield their birds from avian influenza. As well as, anybody can subscribe to APHA’s free animal illness alerts service for the most recent info on up to date threat ranges, steerage and new instances in Nice Britain no matter whether or not they maintain birds.
- Defra’s method to avian influenza is about out within the Notifiable Avian Illness Management Technique for Nice Britain supported by the Mitigation Technique for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales. Defra’s method to considers the most recent scientific and ornithological proof and veterinary recommendation. Present coverage displays Defra’s expertise of responding to previous outbreaks of unique animal illness and is in keeping with worldwide requirements of greatest apply for illness management.
- The most recent info and steerage on chicken flu might be discovered at gov.uk/birdflu
- For media queries contact Defra press workplace on 020 8225 7618 or out of hours on 0345 051 8486.
- Additional info on biosecurity and the right way to stop illness is on the market on GOV.UK.
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