The government has announced strict measures amid a deadly bird flu outbreak.
The whole of the UK has been declared a Prevention Zone today (Monday, 17 October), following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza – better known as bird flu – in wild birds and on commercial premises.
It means that from midday, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of bird flu.
Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZ) affect both commercial entities and people who have poultry and captive birds as pets, with strict biosecurity measures in place.
The introduction of the AIPZ comes after Britain faced its largest-ever outbreak of avian flu with 190 cases confirmed since late October 2021, with over 30 of these confirmed this month.
Numerous wild birds – including ducks and swans – in Swindon and Wiltshire have been confirmed to have died from the highly contagious disease.
It’s even killed swans at killed birds at Langford Lakes, a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve best known for its sightings of extremely rare white-tailed eagles.
Dozens of birds have been found dead – but seemingly uninjured – across Swindon, including at Coate Water, Queen’s Park and Stanton Park.
Though rare, bird flu can spread to humans and pets, with people told not to touch dead or sick wild birds, including bird feathers or areas contaminated by droppings.
Find out more about the rules for bird keepers on the Animal and Plant Health Agency website.
