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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th April 2023
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Poultry allowed outside as avian flu restrictions lift
Measures remain in place to prevent wild birds from infecting kept birds.
Bird keepers urged to maintain high biosecurity standards.

Mandatory housing for all poultry and kept birds has ended today (Tuesday, 18 April) in England and Wales, but bird keepers are being urged to maintain rigorous biosecurity standards to prevent avian influenza from spreading.

Keepers will still be legally required to follow hygiene and disease prevention rules. The guidance includes:
  • cleaning and disinfecting footwear by using foot dips before entering enclosures
  • netting standing water and ponds
  • maintaining bird houses and sheds to prevent wild birds and contaminated water from entering
  • minimising the movement of people in and out of bird enclosures.
The easing of restrictions follows a reduction in avian flu risk levels. Poultry and kept birds will be allowed outside again, although housing will still be mandatory in Protection Zones around locations where a case has been confirmed.

Mandatory housing remains in place in Northern Ireland. The measure was never introduced in Scotland.

There have been 150 cases in England and six cases in Wales since October 2022, with new cases confirmed this month in Powys and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Chief veterinary officer for Wales, Richard Irvine said: “Rigorous and scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity measures offer the best protection for kept birds against avian influenza. Whether keepers have a few birds or a thousand, it is vital the very highest standards of biosecurity are maintained.

“Vigilance is also key, and it’s important any signs or suspicion of avian influenza is reported immediately.”

Findings of dead wild birds should be reported to Defra on 03459 33 55 77 and keepers should report suspicion of disease in their birds to APHA on 0300 303 8268.

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."