UK is now bird flu-free but Chief Vet urges vigilance
The UK can now resume trade discussions on British poultry and poultry products with existing partners and possibly new trading partners.
“Declaring the UK free from avian flu is an important milestone that will help our efforts to reopen export markets. The past nine months have been very challenging for all those who keep poultry, and I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in helping us contain the disease to a handful of premises,” the Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said.
On the other hand, the disease is still present throughout the UK, according to Defra, and the risk persists that with winter approaching migratory wild birds infecting domestic poultry will increase.
“However, I urge all keepers to be vigilant – there is a constant risk of avian flu from wild birds and this is likely to increase as winter approaches, temperatures fall, and migratory birds arrive in the UK,” Mr. Gibbens added. “All poultry keepers should take steps to reduce the risk to their birds, such as cleaning footwear, feeding birds indoors, and minimising contact with wild birds. Building these simple actions into routines now can help prepare for any future outbreaks. “
The UK was previously declared free of Avian Flu in April 2016 but the disease returned in December that year – so the government is not complacent.
H5N8 avian flu was confirmed at commercial premises in Suffolk, Lancashire, and Lincolnshire, and in backyard flocks in Northumberland, Lancashire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire and Carmarthenshire. The same strain of the virus was also found in wild birds in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The government continues to carry out surveillance in poultry and wild birds and publish regular disease updates.
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