Following yesterday's declaration of a new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset, here are the new rules for poultry owners.

All keepers of poultry - of whatever type and size - are now legally required to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks and mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

The AIPZ now in force across Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Somerset does not include a requirement to house birds but if they are not housed, they must be enclosed or fenced.

The advice from Defra to all bird keepers in the new AIPZ means they must:

• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing

• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control

• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis

• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points

• minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

• prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas

Keepers with more than 500 birds need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with 155 cases confirmed across the country since November.

The introduction of this regional AIPZ comes after the disease was detected in captive birds at nine premises across the south west region since last month, as well as several cases in wild seabirds.

The public are reminded that they should not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds and follow the guidance on Defra’s advice to the public page. 

The UK Health Security Agency continues to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advice remains unchanged, that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk.

Whilst the health risks to the general public are low, Public Health Cornwall is also urging people not to feed wild birds to further reduce the risk and stop the virus spreading.

Brian O’Neill, Consultant in Public Health at Cornwall Council, said: “Bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to people’s health is low. But that’s not to say we shouldn’t be doing everything we can to stop it spreading so that risk becomes even lower.  

“As well as not touching them, we would also strongly urge people not to feed wild birds at their local ponds, lakes and rivers as large gatherings of birds make transmission of the virus more likely.” 

If you find a sick or dead wild bird, don’t touch it but do report it to Defra on 03459 33 55 77 (select option 7).

Poultry keepers should report suspicion of disease in their birds to APHA on 03000 200 301.