Chief vet “concerned” as 40 cases of avian influenza confirmed
The UK’s chief vet expressed her concern about the ongoing spread of avian flu that has led to the culling of 500,000 captive birds this winter.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Christine Middlemiss said she was “very concerned about what’s happening.” She continued: “We now have a total of 40 infected premises in the UK – that’s a really high number for the time of year for anything we’ve experienced before.”
Middlemiss also confirmed every bird where an outbreak has been confirmed would be culled. She said: “All the birds on the premises have to be culled, because of the ongoing risk of infection that they pose. The total number is something like half a million will now have been culled.”
The risk to human health remains low, however infected birds should not be touched.
Since introducing the Prevention Zone and mandatory housing, the outbreaks have continued to occur across Great Britain in kept (domestic) birds and the virus continues to be found in some wild birds submitted for disease surveillance.
“We all have a responsibility”
As part of a Situation Report by the Welsh Government, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd Lesley Griffiths said that she was reviewing the emergency disease arrangements “to ensure [they] are delivering an effective and efficient response.”
She added: “I am grateful to industry and the veterinary profession for their continued efforts in meeting our requirements, as we all have a responsibility in addressing this disease threat.”
Griffiths said that the Welsh government was “doing all it can to respond to this situation.” She said: “I continue to request all keepers meet their obligations, to maintain the highest standards of biosecurity, house their birds and be vigilant for signs of disease. I remind keepers who have more than 50 birds to register their flock. Also, I would strongly recommend all keepers to register their birds regardless of numbers.”
She added: “I am confident that together we have the best chance of dealing with this epidemic and protecting our national flock.”
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