Bird flu alert for Shropshire

Poultry

PoultryYesterday (11/1/17) the Shropshire Star published a report with the headline, “Bird flu alert for Shropshire and Mid Wales as case confirmed nearby”. It emphasised that “Poultry and bird owners across the region are being urged to remain on alert after an outbreak of ‘highly pathogenic’ bird flu was confirmed in North Wales.”

So far no humans have been infected with bird flu in the UK, although plans are in place to manage any suspected cases. However, it has been confirmed a wild duck has died from avian flu at an RSPB reserve in Conwy. Instances like these suggest that the H5N8 strain of the infection will have already spread to wild birds in Shropshire.
In early December we reminded local residents of the need to “Keep Your Poultry Safe!” after Defra declared the whole of England an “Declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone”. That AIPZ has been extended and all domestic poultry should be physically separated from the wild bird population. The latest information is available on Defra’s website.
The Star reports on December 28 the virus was found in a back-yard flock of chickens and ducks in the Pontyberem area of Carmarthenshire. All the birds had to be culled.