Government has placed all of England under additional Avian Influenza Protection Zones (AIPZ), mandating enhanced biosecurity as industry calls for stricter measures.
The Government has extended the AIPZ, which is already in place across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
The measures imposed in the AIPZ include mandatory enhanced biosecurity and housing for kept birds, and now include Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire.
The rest of England is now under an additional AIPZ mandating enhancing biosecurity but will not enforce mandatory housing. A similar zone is in force in Scotland and Wales.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that following the report of suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry at a premises near Loddon, South Norfolk, Norfolk, a decision was taken to pre-emptively cull the birds based on the clinical signs, post mortem findings and rapidly increasing mortality.
It stated that all affected poultry on the premises will be humanely culled, and a 3km temporary control zone A and a 10km temporary control zone B were put in place around the premises.
Chief executive of the British Poultry Council, Richard Griffiths, said: “We continue to work closely with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency to ensure full vigilance on poultry sites to minimise risk. We urge all poultry keepers to continue implementing rigorous biosecurity measures while looking out for signs of the disease.”
Defra said that the nationwide measures would be in place until further notice, and will be kept under regular review as part of the Government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
“BFREPA urges Defra to reconsider the evidence-based approach used to determine housing orders and to implement a nationwide housing order without delay.”
BFREPA
A statement from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) read: “BFREPA is calling for a pragmatic and pro-active approach to housing birds, instead of a risk-based approach, to safeguard the welfare of the birds and the producers.
“Many producers, through no fault of their own, find themselves uninsured following the recent withdrawal from the market of a key insurer. It is therefore essential to consider factors beyond the scientific evidence Defra use when making housing order decisions. Allowing birds to roam freely during heightened periods of avian influenza and migration presents a significant risk and is a source of great worry and concern for farmers. An outbreak of avian influenza is a life-changing event for farmers.
“BFREPA urges Defra to reconsider the evidence-based approach used to determine housing orders and to implement a nationwide housing order without delay.
“We need to get ahead of the curve on this dreadful disease and will continue to make the case for a GB wide Housing Order to protect the welfare of our birds and our farmers.”
National Farmers’ Union (NFU) poultry board chair James Mottershead said: “While housing measures have been extended into York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire we urge the respective Governments to keep this under constant review and extend this requirement where necessary.
“Outbreaks of avian influenza can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families. Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.
“In light of cases of avian influenza being confirmed and the increased risk levels for both wild birds and poultry, I urge all bird keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant, maintain stringent biosecurity measures and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.”
Avian influenza detected in human
This comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed a case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in the West Midlands region.
The case was detected after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) identified an outbreak of avian influenza in a flock of birds. UKHSA carried out routine monitoring on people who had been in close contact with the infected birds.
UKHSA said that bird-to-human transmission of avian influenza was rare, and has previously occurred a small number of times in the UK.
According to UKHSA, the person acquired the infection on a farm, where they had “close and prolonged contact” with a large number of infected birds. It highlighted that the risk to the wider public “continues to be very low”, and said the individual is currently well and was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit.
The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, one of the viruses circulating in birds in the UK this season. This is different to strains circulating among mammals and birds in the US.
Although there has been no demonstrated human-to-human transmission despite extensive recent surveillance of influenza A(H5N1), UKHSA has been tracing all individuals who have been in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza.
UKHSA said that those at highest risk of exposure had been offered antiviral treatment. This is done to reduce the chance that any virus they have been exposed to will be able to cause infection.
UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “While avian influenza is highly contagious in birds, this is a very rare event and is very specific to the circumstances on this premises.
“We took swift action to limit the spread of the disease at the site in question, all infected birds are being humanely culled, and cleansing and disinfection of the premises will be undertaken all to strict biosecure standards. This is a reminder that stringent biosecurity is essential when keeping animals.
“We are seeing a growing number of avian flu cases in birds on both commercial farms and in backyard flocks across the country. Implementing scrupulous biosecurity measures will help protect the health and welfare of your birds from the threat of avian influenza and other diseases.”
“We have robust systems in place to detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that spillover infections from birds to humans may occur.”
Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said: “The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low despite this confirmed case. We have robust systems in place to detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that spillover infections from birds to humans may occur.
“Currently there is no evidence of onwards transmission from this case.
“People are reminded not to touch sick or dead birds and it’s important that they follow Defra advice about reporting any suspected avian influenza cases.”
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said: “The safety of the public is paramount, and we are monitoring this situation closely.
“The risk of wider or onward transmission is very low, however the UK remains prepared and ready to respond to any current and future health threats.
“We recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects against avian influenza, to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans.”
