The UK government on Tuesday ordered that all poultry and captive birds in England be kept indoors following a sharp rise in cases of avian influenza.
The order, which takes effect from Thursday, mandates that all bird keepers across England house their poultry, regardless of flock size, if they keep more than 50 birds or if they sell or give eggs away.
“Given the continued increase in the number of avian influenza cases in both kept and wild birds across England, we are now taking the difficult step to extend housing measures to the whole country,” said UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss in a statement.
Limited restrictions had already been introduced last week in parts of northern, central, and eastern England before the government decided to expand them nationwide.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the risk to human health remains low, adding that properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.
According to the European Surveillance for Avian (ESA) animal health monitor, Europe recorded 85 outbreaks of bird flu in poultry farms between August 1 and late October, with 28 occurring in the last week of that period. Six of those outbreaks were confirmed in Britain.
Earlier in January, following a similar surge in infections, the UK government ordered mandatory culling of birds within a three-kilometre (1.8-mile) radius of any confirmed case, alongside stricter hygiene and movement controls.
Avian influenza spreads mainly through droppings, saliva, and contaminated food or water.
Vaccinations against bird flu remain prohibited in the UK, except for birds kept in zoos.
AFP
