UK reports more bid flu outbreaks in game birds and laying hens
Animal health authorities in the UK have recorded outbreaks of H5N1 and H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza on multiple farm sites in England and Scotland.
17 February 2021
3 minute read
By: Updated information from the United Kingdom’s Animal and Plant Health Agency has recorded an outbreak of H5N8 bird flu in laying hens at a commercial farm near Redcar, Redcar & Cleveland. They have also reported an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in a breeding gamebird farm in Leven, Glenrothes, Scotland. Both outbreaks are highly pathogenic.
Bird keepers across the UK are being encouraged to keep a close eye on their birds for any signs of the disease and to maintain biosecurity protocols.
The UK government instituted an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (APIZ) in November 2020, requiring all bird keepers to restrict the movement of their birds and to limit contact with wild flocks.
In December 2020, the APIZ expanded to include housing measures that stipulated that all bird keepers in England (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) keep their birds indoors except in very specific circumstances.
