Bird Flu and wild bird surveillance

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When the Chief Veterinary Officer (DEFRA) declares there is a risk of Avian Flu, prevention zones will be declared to help protect poultry from Avian Flu. This requires keepers of poultry and other captive birds across England to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds and comply with the Prevention Zone measures.

View map and details of active prevention zones.

These measures have been taken because bird flu has now been found in wild birds in this country. Bird flu is also present in Europe, and wild bird migration brings birds to the UK from areas where highly pathogenic bird flu is known to be present. Disease control measures are kept under review based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.

The general public and Poultry keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in wild birds and report them on the DEFRA helpline 03459 335577.

If you are a registered hobbyist birdkeeper or poultry keeper with the Animal Plant & Health Agency (APHA) you should already be receiving notifiable disease alerts. If you keep poultry but have not registered with APHA, you can find guidance on when you should register on the .GOV.UK website.

To contact AHPA, directly, call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 and choose the relevant options for APHA. For additional contact guidance Contact APHA - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) publish a summary of animal disease risks (including issues around bird flu) in their veterinary outbreak assessments.

Alerts of the latest news specific to notifiable animal disease outbreaks in Great Britain can also be used by those with livestock for routine updates and alerts on APHA animal disease alert subscription service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Trading Standards Service, working alongside DEFRA, is responsible for the enforcement of the provisions relating to animal disease control.

Suffolk Trading Standards are providing up-to-date advice and information on their social media accounts (Twitter and Facebook), as well as via their weekly email alert. Sign up to the Trading Standards weekly email alert.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact TradingStandards@suffolk.gov.uk

Web site: www.suffolk.gov.uk/tradingstandards
Blog: www.suffolktradingstandards.wordpress.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SuffolkTS
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SuffolkTradingStandards

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