Articles
Confirmed case of Avian Influenza
20/12/2024
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed a case of Avian Influenza (bird flu) on premises in Bishop Burton, which impacts on your ward / parish, or is very close to it.
Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds, and the UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the general public’s health is very low. The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. There is a lot of further information on the Government's website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england
There is a well-established national contingency plan for dealing with avian influenza, which involves APHA humanely culling the affected poultry on the infected premise. There is no other culling of healthy birds involved, but there are some restrictions introduced on poultry and captive bird keepers in the control zone(s) declared around the infected premise. The map attached shows the control zone in place around the infected premise but there may be other zones which overlap this requiring additional measures. There is an interactive map on the DEFRA website which shows all Avian Influenza disease control zones currently in force.
In brief, for people that keep poultry / captive birds as a hobby and are in the 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone:
- There is a requirement to keep poultry and other captive birds “housed” in a structure
- Keep a record of all poultry or poultry eggs that enter or leave your premises, except eggs that are being moved direct to wholesale or retail premises to be sold
- Record and individuals visiting the premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept
- Ensure appropriate bio-security measures are in place.
The Council has a supporting role as part of the national plan, and they will be putting out some highways signs at the boundary of the 3km zone to let people know they are entering an area with animal disease restrictions. A number of posters have also been put up in the zone to inform keepers of poultry and captive birds who have not registered, which has been compulsory registration since 1st October 2024, they must do so now.
There is a lot of further information on the Government's website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england and our animal health team can be contacted on animal.health@eastriding.gov.uk.
If you have a social media account it would be really helpful if you could promote the Facebook or Twitter message that APHA have released on the outbreak
It is likely that the restrictions will remain in place for at least the next 6-8 weeks, but we will confirm when they've been lifted.
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