Nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared

Following a change in the risk levels and an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza in kept and wild birds, the Chief Veterinary Officers from Wales, England and Scotland have declared an APIZ across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.

This means that from midday on Monday 17 October, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza. This nationwide AIPZ does not include national housing measures.

• Read the full declaration for Wales: Welsh Government | Declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (17 October).

Biosecurity vital for all bird keepers

NFU Cymru National Policy Adviser, Dafydd Jarrett said: “The number one priority for poultry farmers has always been the health and welfare of their flock and it’s devastating for any farmer to see that compromised. That is why the NFU and NFU Cymru is urging Defra and the Welsh Government to consider expanding the regional housing measures on a national basis to reflect the increase in the levels of risk across the country.

“Maintaining stringent biosecurity measures continues to be vital for all bird keepers, whether you are a poultry farmer or someone who keeps a small number of hens in the garden. We will continue to work with the government and the Chief Veterinary Officer to try to minimise the risk of future outbreaks across the country, and to get on top of this terrible disease.”

Risk levels

The risk of incursion of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) in wild birds has been increased to high.

The risk of incursion of HPAI in poultry with stringent biosecurity in place has been increased to medium.

The risk of incursion of HPAI in poultry with suboptimal biosecurity in place has been increased to medium.

Measures for enhanced biosecurity

From 12 noon on Monday 17 October all bird keepers (including backyard and hobby keepers) in Great Britain must:

• Take precautions against transfer of virus contamination between sites or premises, including the cleansing and disinfection of footwear, vehicles and equipment
• Where more than 50 birds are kept, place a foot dip with Defra-approved disinfectant at the correct dilution rate at strategic points including at the entry and exit of all houses or outdoor areas where birds are kept and use on entry and exit of such areas (alternatively disposable footwear should be changed when moving between bird and non-bird areas)
• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds. For example, by netting ponds and by removing wild bird food sources 
• Store feed, water and bedding undercover
• Not keep ducks and geese in the same pen or building as other poultry species
• Prevent access with poultry or other captive birds on other neighbouring premises 
• Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from the part of the premises where birds are kept to essential movements only
• Exercise effective rodent control in areas poultry are kept 
• Record all vehicles and people who enter the premises or come into contact with birds (zoos are exempt) 
• Record all poultry, captive birds and egg movements and make these available to an inspector or veterinary inspector on demand 
• Ensure bird housing is well maintained, with any water leaks or contamination routes rectified
• Where birds are not housed, all poultry or other captive birds must be kept in fenced/enclosed outdoor areas.
• Keep records of all poultry and other captive bird deaths and disposal and make such records available to an inspector or veterinary inspector on demand
• Immediately report to the APHA any increased morbidity or mortality or significant drop in egg production (or where relevant feed and water intake) or other relevant information relating to the production of eggs on the premises

Additionally, keepers with more than 500 birds are required to take extra biosecurity measures, including:

• Operating three defined parts of the premises: live-bird, private and restricted access
• Operating effective barrier hygiene, including changing clothing and footwear before entering and exiting the live-bird area
• Restricting access to the live-bird area to essential authorised personnel and essential equipment and vehicles and these must be recorded on entry/exit
• Cleansing and disinfecting any vehicle exterior or equipment entering or leaving the live-bird part of the premise
• Thorough cleansing and disinfecting of housing and equipment must be carried out at the end of a production cycle before any new birds are introduced
• Keeping biosecure facilities in the private part of the premises for waste and fallen stock with clear separation between both the live-birds and restricted access parts
• Regularly inspect structural integrity of any building used to house poultry for holes and leaks, with particular emphasis on roofs, gutters, and downpipes.  Any holes and leaks must be repaired without undue delay as previous cases of avian influenza have been linked to water ingress and flooding
• Egg producers will need to ensure the packing, handling, and storage of second quality eggs / farm seconds is a managed in a biosecure manner
• Plastic egg trays must be cleansed and disinfected before use and records maintained
• Wild game birds should not be fed within 500m of the restricted access part of the premises where this area is under the control of the keeper.