Avian flu prevention zone introduced in SW and East of England
29th September 2022
The UK’s chief vet is urging bird keepers in all areas to maintain strict biosecurity measures as cases of H5N1 have continued through September.
Regional avian flu prevention zones have been introduced for captive birds in Devon, Cornwall, Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Somerset and Essex.
All bird keepers in these areas are legally required to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks. The regional AIPZs will remain in place until further notice and kept under regular review.
The AIPZs do not apply to the rest of England but Defra advises all bird keepers to follow enhanced measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks. Additional restrictions apply in disease control zones around infected premises.
The move comes amid continued reports of infected premises through September, including four in Norfolk and four in Suffolk, as well as cases in Essex, Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire.
The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu, with over 150 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021.
The wild bird risk across Great Britain is maintained at ‘medium’ and the risk to poultry with stringent biosecurity is ‘low’. However, the risk to poultry with poor biosecurity has been increased to ‘medium’, in light of the increased number of infected premises seen during September and the distance of some of these, as well as wild bird cases, from the coast.
All poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned.
For details on the latest confirmed cases, biosecurity advice and information on the AIPZs, visit: gov.uk
Map of AIPZ in East of England (source: Defra).
Map of South West AIPZ (Defra).
