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New mandatory housing measures for kept birds have been introduced across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, following a decision by ministers after advice from the United Kingdom鈥檚 Chief Veterinary Officer.

These enhanced measures are in response to the escalating local risk and number of cases of bird flu in the area.

This means from noon on 23 December all bird keepers in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock must keep their birds housed to protect them from bird flu. These measures are in addition the requirement to follow the stringent biosecurity measures which have been in force across the area since the 13 December as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).

Bird keepers are advised to consult the聽interactive map聽to check if they are impacted and should then read the聽new regional AIPZ with housing measure declaration聽which sets out the requirements in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

There continues to be a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. We have taken action to try and prevent the further spread of disease and urge bird keepers to comply with the new housing measures.

Bird keepers must continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The Chief Veterinary Officer is now encouraging all bird keepers in the affected regions to take action now to comply with the new mandatory housing measures and protect the health of their birds, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare. Keepers should consult their private vet and expand and enhance housing where necessary. In addition to areas where an AIPZ including housing is in force, in order to mitigate the risk of disease spread, mandatory housing for all poultry and other captive birds also applies in any 3km Protection Zone in force surrounding infected premises.

The new housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures that were brought in as part of the AIPZ last week, covering the聽East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The AIPZ means that all bird keepers need to take extra precautions, such as restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

A high standard of biosecurity, separation of poultry from wild birds including through housing in the areas of highest risk, heightened vigilance by bird keepers, and regular monitoring for signs of disease remain the most effective means of controlling an outbreak of bird flu and protecting flocks both in the area and across the country from bird flu.

The prevention measures introduced through an AIPZ are introduced in a phased and escalating manner proportionate to the escalating risk to an area. The need for AIPZs is kept under regular review as part of the government鈥檚 work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu. Any decisions on when to reintroduce a national or further regional AIPZs or extend AIPZs to include housing measures are based on risk assessments built on the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.聽

The housing measure means bird keepers in the affected area must:

• house all poultry and captive birds (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds)
• keep feed and bedding inside
• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds鈥� if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• reduce 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
• carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry and captive birds are kept
• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
• make your premises unattractive to wild birds (e.g. use bird scarers, foils or streamers)

The current risk to human health remains very low and properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.

Keepers are encouraged to take action to聽. Be vigilant for聽聽to keep your birds safe.

See the聽聽for details of control zones and check the聽聽for details of the restrictions.

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