December 18, 2024 - 1054 views
Bird keepers in Wales are being urged to stay vigilant as cases of avian flu continue to rise across the UK.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has declared a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in certain areas within England. These are across the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Richard Irvine, emphasizes the importance of rigorous hygiene and biosecurity measures to protect flocks.
Dr Irvine said: "The winter migration period brings a heightened risk to poultry and kept birds and we've seen a recent rise in the number of cases of avian influenza confirmed in wild and kept birds across the UK.
"Having careful and thorough hygiene and biosecurity measures in place on a daily basis offers the best protection for kept birds against this highly infectious disease. All bird keepers in Wales are encouraged to take action now to protect their flocks from bird flu and stop it spreading.".
