This week the government announced that all poultry and captive birds must be housed in England until further notice, following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza in wild birds and on commercial premises. To see the full advice, click here.
The advice says that bird keepers are required to shut their birds indoors and implement strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza, regardless of whatever type or size. Introducing these steps on farms is the most effective way in reducing the risk of disease spreading. The government states that the disease could kill birds if these actions aren’t taken.
The housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in October 2022. The AIPZ means that all bird keepers need to take extra precautions, such as restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
PSP has a range of Guarany equipment, much of which is WHO certified, which is specially developed for combatting environmental health threats such as viruses and endemic disease through the quick, easy and effective application of cleansing and disinfecting agents. See our short video below to see the equipment in action.
The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 200 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021. Check the list of confirmed avian influenza cases.
These measures will remain in place until further notice, and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
