Two more cases of avian influenza (bird flu), this time in Scotland and Cumbria, have been confirmed by government as of yesterday (Thursday, December 9).
The premises are located near Aspatria, Allerdale in Cumbria and near Annan, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.
3km protection zones and 10km surveillance zones have been put in place and all birds on the infected premises are to be culled.
According the UK‘s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss, roughly half a billion birds have been culled in the current UK bird flu outbreak so far.
Speaking on BBC 4 radio, Middlemiss stated: “I’m very concerned about what’s happening.”
This is now the largest ever UK outbreak of avian flu, Welsh rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said earlier this week, who added that there is “no immediate sign of the situation improving”.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) is in place across the UK, and it includes housing measures that all bird keepers – commercial or hobby – must follow.
These AIPZ regulations may differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Individual information can be found on corresponding government websites.
If keepers have any concerns they are urged to seek prompt advice from their vet, or if they suspect a case of bird flu they should report it to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as soon as possible.
Keep an eye on Agriland more updates on avian flu in the UK.
