Bird flu control zone declared near Amesbury

A control zone has been declared after bird flu has been detected near Amesbury, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed.

It comes as a growing number of avian influenza cases has been found in farms and backyard bids across the country, driven by high levels of the disease in migrating wild birds.

DEFRA confirmed that all poultry found on the premises, near Amesbury, will be "humanely culled".

A 3km controlled zone has been declared around the premises, encompassing areas such as West Amesbury, Great Dunford and Upper Woodford.

All bird keepers inside the controlled zone, including poultry farmers, have been ordered to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to control the outbreak.

A spokesperson for DEFRA said:

"Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in captive birds on 23 October at a premises near Amesbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

"A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled."

The wild bird risk across Great Britain has increased from medium to high, explains DEFRA, and the risk to poultry with stringent biosecurity has moved up to medium.

The risk to poultry with poor biosecurity has been increased to high, in light of the increased number of infected premises observed during September and October and the distance of some of these, as well as wild bird cases, from the coast.

All bird keepers must now follow enhanced measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks.

Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, said:

"We are seeing a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across the country driven by high levels of disease within wild birds. Unfortunately, we expect the number of cases to continue to rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK, bringing with them further risk of disease that can spread into our kept flocks.

"We’re taking action already by implementing a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zones and housing measures in the worst-affected areas, but it is important that all bird keepers – wherever they are in the country – ensure that cleanliness and hygiene are at the forefront of their minds to keep their flocks safe and limit the impact of the outbreak."

Advice to bird keepers

Advice has been published on the DEFRA website, which details what measures bird keepers, including poultry farmers, must follow.

They've also advised pet bird owners, or if you have a few birds in a backyard flock, to remain vigilant and help prevent avian influenza by following the same steps.

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

2. 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

3. Keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production

4. Thoroughly clean and disinfect housing on a continuous basis

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

6. 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

7. Prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas.

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• avian influenza
• h5n1
• control zone