The UK government has declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across Great Britain this week, with bird keepers across the West Midlands urged to take precautions.
The precautions listed are as follows:
- Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry;
- Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
- Feed and water their birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
- Minimise movement into and out of bird enclosures;
- Cleanse and disinfect footwear and keep clean and tidy the areas where birds live;
- Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas;
- Keep free-ranging birds within fenced areas, and ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances, such as zoo birds).
Residents are urged to report any suspicion of avian influenza in captive birds or poultry by contacting the Defra Rural Services Helpline on: 03000 200 301.