BRITAIN is dealing with its greatest ever chook flu outbreak – as all poultry in England have been positioned into lockdown to cease the unfold of the bug.
Measures to maintain all poultry and captive birds indoors to forestall the unfold of chook flu have come into drive.
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The nationwide housing measures, which have been introduced final week and are being launched from Monday, are geared toward stopping home birds from interacting with wild birds.
It comes because the UK has been dealing with its largest outbreak of chook flu with greater than 200 instances confirmed on industrial premises, smallholdings and in pet birds since October final yr.
The Authorities stated everybody should hold their birds inside no matter the kind of chook or numbers stored.
They’re additionally being urged to observe different biosecurity measures mandated by the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) always to guard their flock and stop the chance of future outbreaks.
These embody cleaning and disinfecting footwear and clothes earlier than and after contact with birds, lowering the motion of individuals on to premises and storing bedding correctly so it doesn’t get contaminated by wild birds.
The Authorities has warned house owners that avian influenza may kill home birds if motion is just not taken.
The brand new measures are being launched after the illness was confirmed at over 90 premises and has been discovered in additional than 200 useless wild birds for the reason that begin of October.
Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, stated: “Many poultry keepers in England have glorious biosecurity requirements however we all know that one small mistake is all it takes to introduce chook flu on to premises and kill flocks.
“A housing order alone won’t be sufficient to cut back an infection charges. Implementing scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks from wild birds stays the perfect type of defence.
“Whether or not you retain just some birds or hundreds, from immediately onwards they should be housed beneath cowl to guard them from this extremely infectious illness.”
The UK Well being Safety Company continues to advise that the chance to public well being from the virus could be very low.
The Meals Requirements Company recommendation that avian influenzas pose a really low meals security danger for UK customers additionally stays unchanged.
