Defra confirms latest avian flu case in Gloucestershire

Avian flu H5N8 has been confirmed in captive birds at a non-poultry premises near Stroud in Gloucestershire.

The outbreak is the fourth to be confirmed in England this month, with cases also detected in Herefordshire, Cheshire and Kent.

The risk level for avian influenza incursion in wild birds in Great Britain was raised from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ on the 6th November. Meanwhile, the risk level for the disease being introduced to poultry premises was also raised from ‘low’ to ‘medium’.

Following the recent outbreaks, an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) was been put in place across the whole of England from 5pm on 11th November.

Declarations for an AIPZ have also been made by the Scottish and Welsh governments.

The AIPZ means bird keepers in England (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) are required by law to take a range of biosecurity precautions.

Further details of the measures that apply in the AIPZ can be found in the AIPZ declaration and Defra’s biosecurity guidance.

Bird gatherings are not permitted within the AIPZ. The general licence for bird gatherings was revoked on 11th November 2020.