An Avian Influenza (AIPZ) prevention zone has been announced covering Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), including Braintree.
The zone introduced by Government includes enhanced biosecurity measures that must be followed by keepers of poultry. We have now had confirmed cases in the Braintree district.
Defra have also announced that regional housing measures for poultry and captive birds are to be introduced in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex from 12 October to help stop the spread of avian influenza (‘bird flu’). This means that all bird keepers in these hotspots must keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size.
This order will extend the mandatory housing measures to all areas of England from 00:01 on Monday 7 November following an increase in the national risk of bird flu in wild birds to very high.
Biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist have been published by Defra to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity, which together with further updates on the latest avian influenza situation, can be found via GOV.UK/bird-flu.
Keepers should also familiarise themselves with the GOV avian influenza advice.
Reporting dead wild birds
You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:
- one or more dead bird of prey or owl
- 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
- 5 or more dead birds of any species
The Defra advice is to not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick bird you find. Further information can be found on the GOV website.
More details around symptoms of bird flu and how to prevent it can be found on the NHS website.