Bird flu has been detected in the region at a poultry facility near Bridlington. The highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza strain was first detected on Sunday, and disease control zones were drawn up and put into immediate effect.
Avian flu poses a very low risk to human health, but can be very dangerous for birds – especially wild birds. The outbreak could be especially harmful for nesting seabird colonies across the East Yorkshire coast.
To keep both the public and local bird populations safe, control measures have therefore been drawn up by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which has been managing similar outbreaks across the UK.
The 3km Protection Zone covers the area within Grindale, Buckton, Bempton, Boynton and just outside Sewerby. The wider 10km Surveillance Zone stretches down to Fraisthorpe, to Rudston in the West, and north to Filey.
Within the Protection Zone, the following rules are in place:
Poultry owners or those with captive birds must keep records of visitors to the premises, and collect personal details, in addition to the details of anyone transporting birds or eggs. Likewise, owners must record data for all birds entering or leaving the premises, and make note of all birds and eggs being transported or marketed – both on and off the premises.
Birds must be housed or kept isolated (if instructed by a veterinary inspector). Birds cannot be moved to or from the premises within the zone unless licensed, and all carcasses must be disposed of by a vet inspector or under their instruction.
Poultry owners must introduce biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of disease spread, and litter/manure must not be removed from the premises without permission. While the control zones are in place, birds must also not to be taken to shows or markets, and no game birds released.
The 10km Surveillance Zone also has similar restrictions on the movement, care, and sale of birds and eggs.
For more information, please visit the advice from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs here.
Lucy, one of our practice Directors, says: “We strongly urge any poultry or captive bird keepers to be cautious and not take risks during the avian flu outbreak. It’s important that they follow the advice in the guidelines.”
If you have any questions or require advice regarding the avian flu outbreak, please contact us.
