A 3km ‘protection zone’ and a 10km ‘surveillance zone’ have been put in place to try to stop the further spread of the disease
A ‘protection zone’ has been put in place after a confirmed case of avian influenza (bird flu) near Ely. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have now put in place a 3km ‘protection zone’ and 10km ‘surveillance zone’, in which rules are introduced to try to stop the further spread of the disease.
The zones’ rules are for bird keepers, those involved in bird gatherings, and those involved in the production or transportation of fresh meat and meat products. In the ‘protection zone’, virtually all captive birds must now be housed.
Strict bio-security measures and record-keeping requirements are in place, alongside movement restrictions. An interactive map showing the location of the zones is available alongside further information about bird flu on the GOV.UK website here.
It is a legal requirement to register all captive birds, even if you just have a few hens in the garden. Anyone with concerns about breaches can report the information to Trading Standards’ advice partner, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, on 0808 223 1133.
The council will put up road signs on the main entry points to the zone, to make bird transporters aware they are entering an animal disease control zone. Councillor Alison Whelan, Chair of the Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I would encourage all poultry keepers to familiarise themselves with, and do their utmost to comply with, all restrictions now in place.
“We are a rural county, blessed with a wide range of commercial bird keepers. Their livelihoods and the health of their flocks depend on all bird keepers – large and small – doing their bit to prevent the further spread of this disease.
“Check your birds frequently for symptoms of bird flu – know the tell-tale signs and immediately report any ill-health to your veterinarian. If you suspect bird flu, you must by law report it to APHA on 03000 200 301”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds, and the risk to the general public’s health is very low. Nevertheless, members of the public should not touch dead wild birds, but should report them to DEFRA online here or by calling 03459 33 55 77.
According to the Food Standards Agency, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are judged to be safe to eat.
