While flu season is in full swing across the UK, another flu season is affecting animals too. Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, is on the rise.
As a result, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer has ordered a mandatory housing order to cover the whole of England from Thursday November 6. This follows the escalating number of confirmations of avian influenza in housed and wild birds.
The protective measures mean that bird keepers across the whole of England must house all poultry and captive birds if they keep more than 50, or if they sell or give eggs away. There are a few exceptions, for example, zoo birds.
A nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) is currently in effect, which requires all bird keepers, whether they have pet birds, large flocks, or just a few birds in a backyard, to implement enhanced biosecurity measures to help prevent further outbreaks of the disease.
These measures include reporting any changes in egg production, keeping mandatory records, disinfecting footwear, and continuously cleaning and disinfecting housing and concrete walkways.
The disease is deadly to birds, with thousands lost each year to it. Symptoms of the disease in birds include a swollen head, lack of coordination and loss of balance, tremors, drooping wings and/or dragging legs, twisting head and neck, bleeding on shanks of the legs and under the skin of the neck, respiratory distress such as sneezing or gurgling and discoloured or loose, watery droppings.
Keepers must familiarise themselves with the necessary steps to prevent bird flu, stop its spread, and remain vigilant for signs of disease. They should report any concerns to keep their birds safe.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: "Given the continued increase in the number of avian influenza cases in kept birds and wild birds across England, we are now taking the difficult step to extend the housing measures to the whole of England.
"I appreciate the impact these measures have on industry and am extremely grateful for the continued cooperation of the poultry sector. We know from previous years that housing birds will bring the rates of infection down from the high we are currently experiencing.
"I urge bird keepers to comply with the new housing measures, continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."
All bird keepers in England, whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock must:
Yes, but only in very close quarters. The RSPB advises that the risk to the public is low, with most infections occurring among those who have had close contact with infected birds, usually poultry workers.
However, everyone should avoid close contact with sick or injured birds if possible. This includes touching infected birds, their droppings, or bedding; killing or preparing infected birds for cooking; and breathing in aerosols (e.g., feather dust).
Don't worry about the chicken on the supermarket shelves though, as bird flu cannot spread through properly cooked food. Cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat in areas where outbreaks have occurred.