Avian Flu - More information from IOW Council

Further to the information on avian flu in the Newsletter, the IW Council has sent out the attached press release.  Please read it if you keep any poultry, including ducks, and/or captive birds and feel free to pass the information on to anyone you know who might be interested.

Bird flu: further controls on housing birds  come into force After national biosecurity requirements were  introduced earlier this month, the Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland,  

Wales and Northern Ireland have brought in new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza across the UK. 

The new measures came into force across the UK from 00:01 today, Monday 29 November 2021, to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza. 

There have been a number of confirmed cases across Great Britain in recent weeks,  but none on the Isle of Wight. 

The new requirements mean that bird-keepers across the Island, whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock, must by law take a range of biosecurity precautions including keeping birds housed or in fully enclosed netted areas. 

Feed and bedding must be kept indoors. 

Fencing off and netting to certain areas, e.g. watercourses, ponds or other standing water must be in place to ensure that wild birds are not attracted. 

Regular cleaning and disinfecting of all concrete walkways, paths and similar surfaces must also be in place. 

The new housing and netting requirements are to keep poultry and other captive birds separate from wild birds. 

These housing requirements are in addition to the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone enhanced biosecurity measures which were introduced on the 3rd November 2021. A spokesman for the Isle of Wight Council said: "We've been contacting owners of larger flocks, but if you know somebody who keeps birds, even if it's only a few,  remind them to check the government website for the latest guidance. 

"Avian influenza is very low risk to humans and animals apart from birds, but nonetheless it can have a serious impact not only on commercial flocks but also on wild populations. 

"Pet birds who live in a family home are unlikely to have any contact with wild birds,  so are at less risk, but we still suggest that owners of pet birds take care to keep their pets from going outside, and store food in a place where wild birds cannot get to it. 

"Careful management of this disease will make sure that these restrictions can in due  course be lifted." 

Matthew Chatfield 

Communication and Engagement Officer 

Isle of Wight Council

PRESS STATEMENT: Isle of Wight statement on Avian influenza

 Dear Resident

Please see below for an important announcement on avian flu.

Best wishes

Sheila

Mrs Sheila Caws

Clerk to Arreton Parish Council

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Isle of Wight statement on Avian influenza

We have received a confirmed AI (H5N8) notification on a wild swan at Ryde, which means that avian influenza has been confirmed in the area.

As birds will move about this is not confined to any one location but could be present wherever wild birds gather.

Avian influenza can be deadly to birds, but has little direct impact on humans. Public Health England advises that the risk to public health is very low, and the Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

Avian influenza is unconnected with COVID-19.

There have been several reports of dead birds on Ryde Canoe Lake since the government alert about avian influenza was issued.

Each one was investigated by the council. In only one case the dead bird was still present. 

That bird was securely stored and reported to DEFRA. 

As a precaution, the footpaths around Ryde Canoe Lake will be closed off. 

We ask that, for the good of the birds, visitors to Ryde Canoe Lake or nearby water bodies do not attempt to feed the waterfowl at this time, as this may attract them to locations where they could spread infection, especially in areas where domesticated birds might also be about.

Anyone who finds dead wild birds should report them to the DEFRA helpline (03459 33 55 77).

We strongly recommend that people do not handle dead wild birds at this time, but seek advice from DEFRA, or if the bird is on council land, report to the Isle of Wight Council on 01983 821000 or via https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Hazardous-Waste-and-Emergencies/Tasks 

Routine precautions should be followed:

Do not pick up or touch sick, dying or dead poultry or wild birds

Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with bird faeces

Avoid untreated bird feathers (such as those found in the environment) and other bird waste

Maintain good personal hygiene with regular hand washing with soap and use of alcohol based hand rubs.

From the 14th of December, it has been a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds housed or netted to prevent wild birds having access.  Poultry and captive bird keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns. They can help prevent avian flu by maintaining good biosecurity on their premises, including housing or netting all poultry and captive birds

cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing

reducing 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 using effective vermin control

thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting housing at the end of a production cycle

keeping fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all points where people should use it, such as farm entrances and before entering poultry and captive bird housing or enclosures

minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

Current information on the Avian Influenza situation can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zone-declared

Biosecurity guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#biosecurity-advice

A list of Defra Approved Disinfectants and how to use them can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defra-approved-disinfectant-when-and-how-to-use-it