Avian influenza

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone for all poultry and captive birds will remain in force until the end of April, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has confirmed.

While the current Prevention Zone remains in place until 28 February, the requirements of the zone will be amended after that point, meaning that keepers will have the option of letting their birds outside, provided that they put in place enhanced biosecurity to minimise the risk of infection from wild birds. Measures in the renewed zone will continue to apply across all of Scotland, with no targeting of specific areas.

Until 28 February all poultry and captive bird keepers in Scotland must continue to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate practical steps to keep them separate from wild birds. A GB-wide ban on poultry shows and gatherings also remains in force. While there have been no cases confirmed in domestic poultry or captive birds in Scotland, there have been several cases in England and Wales.

Mr Ewing said:

“We continue to see daily reports of avian flu across Europe, including eight confirmed cases in domestic birds in England and Wales, with Northern Ireland recently confirming their first finding in a wild bird, too.

We do not expect the risk of H5N8 to reduce any time soon, which is why we are extending the Prevention Zone until the end of April.

“We continue to work closely with key stakeholders to protect poultry and captive birds from disease and minimise the economic impact of the Prevention Zone on Scotland’s vital free range poultry industry, which is estimated to be worth around £46 million in 2016. That is why, from 28 February, we are changing the requirements, having listened to requests from industry stakeholders and their representatives, to allow producers to be able to start letting their birds out, provided they have enhanced biosecurity measures in place.

 “We will continue to provide updates over the next few weeks but in the meantime I would encourage bird keepers to continue to practice and improve, where possible their biosecurity measures.”

Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said:

“The risk level from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza remains at ‘high’ for wild birds, and ‘low to medium’ for domestic birds. It is essential that keepers continue to ensure that their birds are protected from infection by practicing the highest levels of biosecurity.

“Keepers should start to think about steps they can take now to provide the best biosecurity that they can to protect birds let out on 28 February. This could include keeping your range clear of wild birds, and where possible decontaminating the range.  You should also discuss your arrangements with your private vet, who will be best placed to provide specific practical advice on reducing the risk of infection. 

“Expert advice remains that consumers should not be concerned about eating eggs or poultry and the threat to public health from the virus is very low.”

Biosecurity steps include:

• making sure that your birds’ feed and water can’t be accessed by wild birds
• avoiding transfer of contamination between premises by cleansing and disinfecting equipment, vehicles and footwear
• reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry or captive birds are kept
• implementing effective vermin control around buildings where poultry or captive birds are kept
• providing wash facilities or dips containing approved disinfectant (at the right concentration) at key points such as farm entrances and entrances to bird houses.

Background

1. Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must report it to their local Animal Plant & Health Agency office. Contact details can be found at
2. More information about Avian Influenza - including biosecurity guidance - is available from the Scottish Government website
3. The H5N8 strain of Avian Influenza has been circulating in Europe since October 2016. Eight cases in domestic poultry and captive birds have been confirmed in UK.
4. The disease has also been found in wild birds across the UK. The last Avian Influenza outbreak in captive birds in Scotland was Low Pathogenic H5N1 in Dunfermline, January 2016. 
5. The current AI Prevention Zone was declared on 6 January 2017 and expires on 28th February 2017. 
6. As part of routine wildlife disease surveillance post-mortem examinations of birds are undertaken in incidents where any ‘at risk’ bird species (wildfowl or gulls), birds of prey or five or more birds of any other species, are found dead in the same location and at the same time.
7. In the United Kingdom, members of the public are asked to report these incidents to Defra’s national helpline (email defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 03459 335577, Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm).