As you may be aware, the UK is facing its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 70 cases confirmed across the country since the start of November. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have declared an avian influenza prevention zone across Great BritainOpens in a new window.
Cheshire East Council is taking immediate measures to inform and advise local residents, partners and landowners about avian influenza outbreaks and what to look out for following a confirmed case on a commercial poultry farm in Warmingham (in Brereton Rural Ward). This site has now been confirmed by the Animal, Plant and Health Agency as having the HN51 strain.
As a result, a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the outbreak.
A map is attached for your convenience.
The Protection Zones require foot patrols around local premises by animal health officers and non-movement of birds within or out of the zone. They do not restrict the movement of people.
Full details of measures, a map of the affected area, restrictions and activities for each area are available here:
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers and it does not affect the consumption of poultry or eggs.
Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.
Residents are reminded to not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find. If they find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, they should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77). The guidance regarding captive birds and wild birds varies – as set out below:
Captive Birds
Council officers from Cheshire East and Cheshire West are carrying out door-to-door visits in the protection zones to identify where captive birds are present, to advise and support bird keepers. Members should note that the protection zones are only relevant to captive birds.
In addition, there is a 10-kilometre surveillance zone around each protection zone.
Wellbeing
Avian influenza – outbreak management following confirmed case in Cheshire East
Information on Avian
Published: 8 February 2022