A climbing number of bird flu cases across England has convinced the government to enforce a prevention zone for the avian disease across the entire country.
Strict new measures mean all birds must be kept indoors in York, North Yorkshire, Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Keepers across England will also be required to implement extra hygiene measures in a bid to contain the disease, which is also being spread in the wild bird population.
The risk to human health remains low, the government said, with fully cooked poultry and products including eggs still safe to eat.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is continuing to monitor the issue and keep risk levels under constant review.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “Given the continued increase in the number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease.
“I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them, to continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency,” she added.
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force across England at 12pm today, with similar restrictions also introduced in Scotland.
It applies to all bird keepers, whether for commercial or domestic purposes, and requires them to introduce extra “biosecurity measures”.
These include separating free range birds from their wild counterparts by keeping them in fenced areas, cleaning and disinfecting footwear worn while looking after the birds and keeping ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
3-kilometre fences are erected around properties with confirmed bird flu cases, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has reported 20 outbreaks of the pathogen at sites in northern and eastern England since the outbreak began on November 17, 2024.
One million hens were slated for culling at one of the UK’s biggest commercial poultry farms near Shropshire on Monday after an entire flock tested positive for the infectious disease.
Elwyn Griffiths, one of the owners of the Griffiths Family Farm site, described it as “devastating” news “for the business and the Griffiths family personally”.
James Mottershead, Poultry Board chair at the National Farmers Union (NFU) added: “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.”
