POULTRY keepers in Aberdeenshire are being urged to step up their efforts in the fight against bird flu, following a recent increase in cases in the area.
The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer is reminding all poultry keepers that whilst the main source of infection comes from migratory wild birds, those failing to implement the appropriate measures risk infecting their own flocks by bringing the virus into their holdings.
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Jesus Gallego said:
“The avian flu outbreak has not gone away and implementing robust biosecurity remains absolutely critical. You must continue to regularly cleanse and disinfect your footwear and clothes before entering enclosures, stop your birds mixing with any wild birds and only allow visitors that are strictly necessary. It is your actions that will help keep your birds safe.
“The Scottish Government, in collaboration with Defra, the Welsh Government and DAERA (NI), has taken swift action to limit the spread of the disease, including by introducing mandatory housing measures. However, we are still seeing bird flu both in domestic poultry and other captive birds, and in wild birds across Scotland.
“Many poultry keepers have excellent biosecurity standards, but the number of cases we are seeing suggests that not enough is being done by some bird keepers to keep bird flu out. Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you must take action now to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”
The risk to the general public’s health from avian influenza is very low. However, the risk to people with intensive exposure to infected birds is considered to be low. Food Standards Scotland advises that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs.
Background
During the current outbreak, since the start of November 2021, there have been three infected premises confirmed with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Aberdeenshire, two in the last month.
The disease has been identified in 247 wild birds across Scotland, with 30 of these being collected in Aberdeenshire in the last month. The UK is facing its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 107 cases confirmed since the start of November.
Poultry keepers must do the following:
- house or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds;
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing;
- where possible, change footwear before entering sheds housing poultry and captive birds. If not, then ensure they are thoroughly cleansed and disinfected;
- 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;
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis;
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points;
- 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;
- store bedding so that it cannot be contaminated by wild birds;
- ensure appropriate rodent control is in place in all areas where birds are kept, in addition to any areas where the birds bedding or feed is kept.
The Scottish Government introduced mandatory housing measures on 29 November 2021 to minimise the disease spreading. This means that if you keep chickens, ducks, geese or any other birds, you are legally required to keep them indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures. Keepers are being warned that if they do not apply these measures their flock could be at serious risk of disease, and they could be subject to prosecution. These measures apply to all bird keepers, whether you keep birds commercially or have a single pet chicken. Given the trends in the current avian influenza outbreak, the housing measures must remain in place, and no date for their ending has yet been identified.
Poultry and captive bird keepers must be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns.
All bird keepers are being encouraged to register their flocks. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Registering your flock means that you can be contacted with information should an outbreak happen near you.
Do not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find. If you find dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to Defra’s GB helpline on 03459 33 55 77. For further information see our advice to the public.
Bird keepers in the Aberdeenshire area should report any suspicion of avian influenza to their local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office in Inverurie: telephone 03000 600 708, email APHA.Scotland@apha.gov.uk.
To help protect their birds, keepers should familiarise themselves with the avian flu advice.
