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Bird flu prevention zone imposed on England Bird flu prevention zone imposed across England
(about 3 hours later)
A bird flu prevention zone enforcing strict hygiene standards around birds has been declared for the whole of England. A bird flu prevention zone enforcing strict hygiene standards around domesticated birds has been declared for the whole of England.
The rising number of cases and the risk to wildlife led to the decision, the government said. A rising number of cases and risk avian influenza poses to wild birds led to the decision, the government said.
Even stricter measures, requiring all birds to be housed, are being enforced in some counties. Even stricter measures, requiring all birds to be placed in enclosures, are being enforced in some counties in eastern England.
The risk to human health remains low, with chicken and eggs safe to eat if properly cooked. The risk to humans remains low, with chicken and eggs safe to eat if properly cooked, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across England applies to all keepers of birds, be they pets or commercial flocks. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across England applies to all bird keepers, whether they have pets or a commercial flock.
It means their owners have to conduct enhanced biosecurity measures, including: It means owners have to conduct enhanced biosecurity measures, including:
Minimising contact with wild birds by keeping free range birds in fenced areas Minimising contact with wild birds by keeping free range birds in fenced areas or indoors
Providing feed and water undercover so wild birds cannot access itProviding feed and water undercover so wild birds cannot access it
Cleaning and disinfecting footwear before and after looking after birdsCleaning and disinfecting footwear before and after looking after birds
Keeping ducks and geese separate from other poultryKeeping ducks and geese separate from other poultry
It will be in place from noon on Saturday until further notice, the government said. The measure is in place from noon on Saturday until further notice, Defra said.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: "Given the continued increase in the number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease. UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss urged bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them and "to continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency".
"I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them, to continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency." There have been 23 cases of bird flu confirmed in England since the start of 2024, most of which occurred in eastern England.
A housing order in the north of England is being extended to include York and North Yorkshire from Monday, with a new order for Shropshire also being put in place then after an outbreak in the county. A housing order - requiring birds to be kept in enclosures - which had been in force for coastal counties from Suffolk to East Riding of Yorkshire since mid-December has now been extended.
The current order in the north of England covers the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. From Monday, it will now also include Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire.
A 3km protection zone is put in place around any infected premises, also requiring all birds to be housed. A 3km protection zone is put in place around any infected premises, which are also required to house all birds.
A Welsh government spokesperson noted there were currently no confirmed cases in Wales, but said it was "closely monitoring the situation in England" and the need for its own AIPZ "is kept under constant review".