Bird ‘Flu – warning after government announces largest outbreak ever

BIRD ‘Flu – which caused a scare in the Frodsham area almost a year ago – has now prompted the government to announce stringent control measures.
The whole country is now suffering from the largest-ever outbreak of avian influenza.
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds will come into force from Monday, November 7, following a decision by the UK’s chief veterinary officer.
These measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.
In Frodsham, as elsewhere, this means that anyone who keeps birds – whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks, or just a few birds in a backyard – is required by law to ensure they are familiar with, and adhere to, a number of measures designed to limit the spread of the disease.
Biosecurity guidance and a self-assessment checklist have been published by Defra to assist all bird keepers, which – together with further updates on the latest bird flu situation – can be found via GOV.UK/bird-flu
Over the last year, the UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu, with over 200 cases confirmed since late October 2021. The introduction of the housing measures follows the detection of the disease at over 70 premises since the beginning of October, as well as multiple reports in wild birds.
Several cases were reported in the Frodsham area, although not in the town itself.