The government has announced that bird keepers in England, Scotland, and Wales must apply stringent biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of bird flu.
The Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs proposed the policy in response to the greatest epidemic of avian flu in the country’s history.
It follows the introduction of regional indoor dwelling measures in Norfolk, Suffolk, and portions of Essex last week.
The risk to human health posed by the virus is extremely minimal, according to the government.
The chief veterinary officers of England, Scotland, and Wales announced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for the entirety of the United Kingdom to prevent the spread of the disease among poultry and captive birds.
They refrained from requesting that all bird owners bring their pets inside.
The government stated that aviaries with more than 500 birds must restrict access to non-essential personnel. Before entering bird cages, workers would need to change their clothing and footwear, and site vehicles would need to be frequently cleaned and disinfected to reduce the possibility of disease transmission.
The chief veterinary officers of England, Scotland, and Wales issued a joint statement in which they stated, “This year has seen the largest-ever epidemic of avian flu, and winter offers an even greater risk to flocks as migrating birds return to the United Kingdom.”
Biosecurity and hygiene practise are the most effective form of defense.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicated that the virus provided a very low danger to public health, while the Food Standards Agency advised that avian influenza posed a very low risk to consumer food safety. It was stated that poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to consume when properly cooked.
