ALL of Britain has been declared a ‘prevention zone’ for fowl flu

The entire of the UK has been declared a ‘prevention zone’ to cease the unfold of a lethal pressure of flu amongst wild and home birds.

From in the present day, all fowl homeowners in Britain should comply with strict measures set out by regulation to guard their flocks from fowl flutogether with preserving birds free-range in fenced areas and strict biosecurity measures for farm workers.

The UK has seen its largest outbreak of the illness prior to now yr, with greater than 200 circumstances confirmed throughout the nation for the reason that finish of October 2021, 30 of which have been confirmed for the reason that begin of this month.

About 3.5 million home birds had been killed throughout the outbreak to attempt to cease the “unprecedented and devastating” outbreak, based on officers.

To cease the epidemic, greater than 47 million birds had been killed throughout Europe.

For the primary time, the H5N1 avian flu virus didn’t die out in wild fowl populations over the summer season, however continued to be infectious, inflicting large deaths in birds starting from crimson kites to puffins and grebes, authorities officers stated.

Scientists consider the virus has mutated in a method that makes it extra sturdy – and survives longer within the setting on surfaces or in water – though additional analysis is required.

Nevertheless, officers stated the general public well being danger from the virus may be very low and correctly cooked poultry and eggs are suitable for eating.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss instructed reporters that the northern hemisphere was within the grip of an “unprecedented outbreak of extremely pathogenic avian influenza”.

She stated: “It has been devastating for fowl keepers, whether or not you are a yard flock proprietor or a business farmer, whether or not you are a fowl conservationist just like the Wildlife and Wetlands Belief or whoever you weren’t.

“And devastating for these of us who work as vets and technicians within the authorities.”

She stated the virus – generally known as A(H5N1) – had contaminated wild birds that had migrated again to the UK, however the virus first appeared “in the summertime” in our native wild fowl inhabitants.

And as we moved into colder climate, new infections flared up when wild birds got here into contact with home poultry, she stated.

Beforehand, there have been solely two prevention zones – within the south west and within the east of England – however the fast unfold of the illness amongst wild and home birds led to the zones being prolonged to England, Scotland and Wales.

In line with the prevention zone guidelines, producers with greater than 500 birds should prohibit non-essential entry to their websites, workers should change garments and footwear earlier than coming into enclosures, and automobiles should be frequently washed and disinfected.

Yard homeowners with fewer chickens, geese and geese must also take steps to restrict the danger of the illness spreading to their flocks, they’ve been warned.

If birds present indicators of refusing meals or water, or present “respiratory or neurological” indicators of an infection, homeowners ought to contact the Animal and Plant Well being Company or their non-public veterinarian, who will then notify the authorities.

Final month, farmers expressed fears that many Christmas dinners had been “already over” – as tens of hundreds of turkeys had been killed by September.

However Dr Middlemiss stated she didn’t suppose the outbreak would have an effect on Christmas turkey provides or home hen provides.

Dr Andy Patterson, head of the Animal and Plant Well being Company’s Nationwide Emergency Epidemiology Crew, stated excessive climate situations, significantly final yr’s winter storms, had broken hen coops and different poultry.

This allowed wild birds to enter buildings that might infect home birds.

As well as, throughout a heavy rain, feces can get inside – and only one drop may “infect a complete barn.”

Dr Patterson stated small flocks of chickens in backyards acted as an early warning or “sentinel” as they had been extra prone to decide up the illness from wild birds, alerting authorities earlier than the illness may unfold to bigger flocks on business premises.