Dorset Council urges caution as national Bird Flu outbreak grows

They're asking animal owners to take extra care

Author: George SharpePublished 11th Dec 2021
Last updated 13th Dec 2021

Dorset Council are urging bird owners to take action and prevent the UK's largest bird flu outbreak from getting worse.

There re currently 33 infected premises across England, although none of them are in Dorset.

The most recent incident took place amongst some ducks in a back garden in Pokesdown.

Neil Martin is a Dorset Council Trading Standards officer. He says bird owners need to take action.

"The big issue is avian influenza gets into the wild bird population, so what we're trying to do is to ensure that domestic fowl, domestic poultry doesn't mix with wild birds.

"The risk to human health is very low. There is a theoretical risk, but it is very low.

"The problem comes is as a country we need to maintain our disease free status to be able to trade with other countries so it's important that when we do get an outbreak that we deal with it.

"The most important advice to anyone even just keeping a couple of chickens in their backyard is just keep an eye on them, the current guidance says they must be housed, or if it's too impractical to house them, net the area."

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone came into force across Great Britain on the 3rd of November 2021.

This means bird keepers must:

House or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds

Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing

Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control

Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis

Keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points

Minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

Advice

Finally, Neil had this advice:

"If people do come across dead wild birds, in particular water fowl, don't touch them, don't pick them up, call DEFRA on the contact details on the gov website."

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