Avian Flu

Poultry owners in Flintshire are being reminded to ensure they have enhanced biosecurity measures in place to minimise the spread of Avian Influenza.

In October 2022, the Welsh Government declared an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone to protect poultry and captive birds from a strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Flintshire County Council Officers are currently working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to respond to the challenges posed by Avian Influenza (sometimes referred to as ‘Bird Flu’).

This means that it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks.

All keepers of poultry and other captive birds, irrespective of how those birds are kept, are to take appropriate and practicable steps, including:

• Reducing access of poultry and other captive birds to areas frequently visited and contaminated by wild waterfowl;
• Ensuring the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
• Taking steps to feed and water birds in enclosed areas and ensure feed, water and bedding are not exposed to virus contamination, particularly through bird droppings, and stored in a means not accessible to wild birds;
• Minimising movement of people in and out of bird enclosures;
• Cleaning and disinfecting footwear with foot dips, and ensure there are precautions to avoid the direct or indirect transfer of virus contamination into and between premises, from anything liable to spread infection such as clothing;
• Keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy;
• Reducing any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas.

Current Flintshire Position

There are currently no restrictions relating to Flintshire only.

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