While avian influenza has continued to affect wild birds over the summer, the winter migration period brings a heightened risk to kept birds, the Welsh government said in a warning to poultry owners.

“Rigorous and scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity measures offer the best protection for kept birds against avian influenza," said Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Richard Irvine. "Whether keepers have a few birds or a thousand, it is vital the very highest standards of biosecurity are maintained at all times."

“Vigilance is also key. It’s important you report any signs or suspicion of avian influenza in your flock immediately," he added.

“I’d like to thank bird keepers for their efforts to date in keeping their birds safe. As we enter the autumn and winter months it is now more important than ever to maintain the very highest levels of biosecurity and stay vigilant.”

Advice for keepers of poultry and captive birds on how to keep their flocks safe is available on the Welsh Government’s website, including the biosecurity self-assessment checklist. 

There is a checklist to help owners of small poultry flocks keep their birds free of disease, and one for commercial keepers - Biosecurity and preventing disease in poultry and kept birds | GOV.WALES