Bird and poultry keepers urged to do their bit to help control the spread of bird flu

This follows the recent decision by the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer to extend mandatory housing measures already covering a large part of the country, to the whole of Tyne and Wear including Sunderland.

The measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors, and continue following stringent biosecurity measures first introduced in February to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.

DEFRA has published guidance and a self-assessment checklist to help all bird keepers to instigate and maintain good biosecurity.

While the risk to public health is low, following the guidance helps minimise the risks.

Anyone who comes across dead wild birds should not touch them, but instead contact: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/dead-animals

The guidance can be found, together with further updates on the latest avian influenza situation, at: Bird flu (avian influenza): how to prevent it and stop it spreading - GOV.UK.

The addition of housing measures to the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone which is already in force across England, means that all bird keepers across Tyne and Wear must: 

• House or net all poultry and captive birds
• Keep your birds away from other captive and wild birds & Prevent contact with wild birds including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
• Maintain bird houses and sheds
• Clean and disinfect housing and clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds - if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
• Keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
• Prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas
• If you buy new birds, always check their health before you bring them to your property.

Councillor Lindsey Leonard Cabinet member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero at Sunderland City Council, said:  "Although the risk to public health is low and we haven't had have any confirmed cases in Sunderland, we would ask bird keepers to do their bit to help control the spread of bird flu by following the DEFRA advice and guidance."