New cases of avian flu confirmed

Amid a spate of recent avian influenza cases, Defra confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 at a commercial duck breeding premises near Attleborough, Breckland, in Norfolk yesterday (20^th December).

A separate outbreak was confirmed in backyard poultry near Gillingham, North Dorset on Saturday (19^th December).

Meanwhile, avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed in a backyard flock of chickens near Hawes, Richmondshire in North Yorkshire on 17th December. Further testing confirmed this to be a highly pathogenic strain (HPAI H5N1). Further genetic analysis is now underway to confirm whether this is the same H5N1 strain that has previously been found in wild birds.

All birds at the affected premises will be humanely culled and a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been declared around each premises.

A total of 10 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 have now been confirmed in poultry and other captive birds in England, in addition to the case of highly pathogenic H5N1 in North Yorkshire, and a case of low pathogenic H2N2 at a premises near Deal, Kent.

Two outbreaks have also been confirmed in captive birds at non-poultry premises in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

The risk level for incursion of avian influenza has been increased to ‘very high’ for wild birds; ‘medium’ for poultry with high biosecurity and ‘high’ for poultry with poor biosecurity.

Housing measures introduced on 14^th December mean it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to house their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures.

This builds on the tougher biosecurity regulations brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone. It requires all poultry and captive bird keepers to take extra precautions, such as cleaning and disinfecting equipment, clothing and vehicles; and limiting access to non-essential people on their sites. Workers are also required to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.