Avian influenza (bird flu) Prevention zones declaration.
February 8th – Defra, the continuation of the prevention zones declaration
February 9th – Scotland, amended prevention zone declaration
The amended declarations are due to commence from February 28, 2017 and continue through to the end of April because of the continuing risk from avian influenza. England will be divided into two areas; those at higher risk and those that are not.
In lower risk areas, these amendments will permit birds to range providing certain conditions are met. However, the ban on poultry gatherings (shows, markets et cetera) will remain in force until the end of April.
In higher risk areas, birds will need to be housed or kept in fully enclosed that it areas. To find out if you are in a higher risk area use the Defra interactive map .
Having decided whether you’re in a high-risk area or not you will need to follow the appropriate guidance to minimise the likelihood of your flock becoming infected with avian influenza. This is detailed in 3 annexes to the declarations.
Annex 2 covers the minimum requirements that all keepers of poultry must it adhere to.
This includes basic hygiene requirements, disease reporting requirements and notice that you may be required to demonstrate what your plans are and how they are put into practice.
The pen or range areas must fenced in, so your birds are contained. They must not enclose ponds or other standing water which may encourage wild birds into the pen. Any standing water should be drained. Feeders and drinkers should be inaccessible to wild birds. Keep ducks and geese separate from chickens, bantams, Guinea fowl, peafowl and turkeys.
Briefly Annex 3 covers the “Standard biosecurity measures – mandatory for all keepers with 1,000 birds or more
The poultry site should be organised to minimise access to live birds by adopting 3 zones on the holding as outlined below:
Poultry (live bird) zone
Private (waste) zone
Public (bio-secure barrier) zone”
Whilst Annex 4 covers the “Measures to be put in place to enable supervised access to enclosed outdoor areas (from 28 February, and not in ‘Higher Risk Areas’)”
It is impossible for government to give guidance on all possible scenarios. You are therefore expected to assess the likelihood of infection being introduced from wild birds into your flock and implement appropriate practical solutions.
Any solutions that you implement must always take account of the welfare of your poultry.
Clinical signs.
As the success or otherwise of this amended declaration still hinges on rapid recognition of new cases of avian influenza. The clinical signs observed in the current outbreaks are detailed below:
Backyard flocks of chickens and ducks – clinical signs not specified but both flocks experienced a sudden increase in mortality. Neither flock was housed. Both flocks contained a mixture of species which included ducks. No clinical signs were seen in the ducks.
Pheasants – depression, shivering, nervous signs, nystagmus (rapid eye movements), ataxia (difficulty standing), diarrhoea and sudden death. In one flock an estimated 60% of the birds died in 48 hours.
Turkeys – high mortality with nervous signs and fever. The initial outbreak in turkeys showed as rapidly increasing and high mortality over 48 hours.
Conclusion.
Please note these amendments to the prevention zone declarations can be changed at any time.
This poultry virus is one of the nastiest that we have had to deal with for about 20 years.
I’ve calculated from information given in OIE reports since August 26, 2016 that have been 1178 outbreaks affecting wild birds and poultry in 37 different countries resulting in the death of 6,535,381 birds. Over the time period monitored this is equivalent to 40,000 dead birds a day.