Avian Influenza Reporting and Latest Situation
Latest Updates
Staffordshire News Update
05/10/23
Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, the 3 km protection zone has been lifted and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone.
The following disease control zone is in place around the premises:
All poultry on the premises have been humanely culled.
Details of the measures that apply in this zone are in the declaration.
Download the declaration of the ending of a protection zone
This revokes and replaces the declaration of a protection zone and a surveillance zone (PDF)
08/09/23
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 7 September 2023 at a premise near Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire, Staffordshire (AIV 2023/48). A 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone has been declared around the premises
Bird flu: near Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire, Staffordshire (AIV 2023/48)
If you have received a notice from Staffordshire County Council that you are in a protection zone for Avian Influenza, you must complete the poultry premises report form. Please ensure that you have your letter at hand with your reference number for the outbreak.
If you are located in a Protection or Surveillance zone you must follow the measures that apply to those areas as set out in the declaration for those zones. You can find out if you are located in a zone on the APHA interactive map APHA Interactive Avian Influenza Disease Map (arcgis.com)
Further general information for poultry keepers can be found here - Poultry - Staffordshire County Council
Avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ): mandatory housing
The Chief Veterinary Officer has announced that mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds, which were introduced across England to help stop the spread of bird flu, will be lifted from 00:01 on Tuesday 18 April 2023, but scrupulous standards of biosecurity remain essential. The measures in Wales will be lifted at the same time.
Following ongoing monitoring using the latest scientific evidence and a robust risk assessment, bird flu risk levels have been reduced meaning poultry and other captive birds will no longer need to be housed and can be kept outside, unless they are in a protection zone or captive bird monitoring controlled zone.
The decision means that from 18 April, eggs laid by hens with access to outside range areas can return to being marketed as ‘Free-Range’ eggs.
Those who intend to allow their birds outside are advised to use the upcoming days to prepare their outside areas for the release of their birds. This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents.
Staffordshire News Update
08/12/22
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at the following premises on 03/10/22
- near Kidsgrove, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (AIV 2022/88)
Following successful completion of disease control activity and surveillance in the zone, the protection zones have ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone. All birds have been humanely culled.
Bird flu: near Kidsgrove, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (AIV 2022/88) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with housing measures has been amended to clarify the position on the free flying of certain birds and the release of game birds in an AIPZ with housing measures.
Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) including housing measures: the whole of England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
23/11/22
Confirmed outbreak in commercial housed poultry on 20/11/22 near Wheaton Aston, South Staffs - Bird flu: near Wheaton Aston, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (AIV 2022/210) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you have received a notice from Staffordshire County Council that you are in a protection zone for Avian Influenza, you must complete the Poultry Premises Report Form. Please ensure that you have your letter at hand with your reference number for the outbreak.
If you are located in a Protection or Surveillance zone you must follow the measures that apply to those areas as set out in the declaration for those zones. You can find out if you are located in a zone on the APHA interactive map APHA Interactive Avian Influenza Disease Map (arcgis.com)
You can sign up to the Animal & Plant Health Agency animal disease alert service which notifies subscribers when there is a notifiable disease outbreak in Great Britain. You can also register your poultry, even if only kept as pets so you can be contacted during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants. Poultry (including game birds): registration rules and forms - www.gov.uk
Current Situation
A nationwide mandatory housing measure was added to the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) on 07/11/22, this legally requires all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity practices to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.
Over the last year, the United Kingdom has faced its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza with over 200 cases confirmed since late October 2021. The introduction of the housing measures comes after the disease was detected at over 70 premises since the beginning of October, as well as multiple reports in wild birds Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England gov.uk
If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you must report it immediately by calling: 03000 200 301.
Bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds. If you do not report it, you are breaking the law. It is not a notifiable disease in wild birds.
Dead Wild Birds
Call Defra on 03459 33 55 77 if you find:
- one or more dead birds of prey
- 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
- 5 or more dead birds of any species
You do not need to report any other found dead wild birds, bird flu is not a notifiable disease in wild birds. Do not report sick or injured wild birds to Defra or APHA.
If dead wild birds are not collected for bird flu testing, landowners can remove carcases. The landowner is responsible for disposing of the carcases safely and for any costs of removing and disposing of dead wild birds.
If you decide to remove any other dead wild bird that you suspect has been infected with bird flu you must dispose of it as a category 1 animal by-product.
If you’re a landowner or land manager, read the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds for further guidance on removing and disposing of wild bird carcases.
Disposing of dead wild birds on public land
Do not touch or pick up a dead or visibly sick wild bird on public land.
The local authority is responsible for disposing of dead wild birds on public land if necessary. Find out how to contact your local authority.
Disposing of small numbers of dead garden birds found at your home
If you find small numbers of dead garden birds at your home (domestic residential property only) you can dispose of them in your household or municipal waste bin, or you can bury them.
If you dispose of a dead wild bird with your household or municipal waste, you should:
- Pick it up wearing disposable gloves or a plastic bag over your hand.
- Put the bird in a plastic bag and tie it. Take care not to contaminate the outside of the bag.
- Put the bird in a second (preferably leakproof) plastic bag, along with the gloves or plastic bag you used to pick it up and tie it. Take care not to touch the outside of the gloves with bare hands.
- Put it in your outside household or municipal waste bin.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
If you bury a dead wild bird you should:
- dig a hole at least 60 cm deep to stop animals digging it up
- not bury it in a plastic bag (if you use a plastic bag to pick the bird up put it in your outside household or municipal waste bin)
- not bury it near any watercourses or in a place where it could contaminate local water supplies
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you’ve finished
Bird Flu Guidance
Find out how to:
Bird Flu Webinars
Whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock, the avian influenza ‘stop the spread’ webinars explain what you can do to protect your birds. These are available as video’s or slides.
Further Information