Avian influenza, or bird flu, poses a serious threat to captive birds in England. This infectious disease impacts bird health and the poultry industry, and it is more important than ever to prepare for and prevent the spread of this dangerous bird virus.
In this post, we’ll explore what bird flu is, its risks, and the latest updates on the outbreak. We’ll also share essential tips and tools to help birdkeepers prevent infection and protect their flocks.
What is bird flu?
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a disease which primarily infects birds, both wild and captive. It is an infectious virus that spreads from bird to bird, posing a serious risk to their health. Birds contract this disease from infected feed, water, equipment, housing, droppings, saliva, and rodents.
Bird flu often results in the death of the infected birds, which is why it is imperative to prevent the infection from starting, to stop the spread, and to control an outbreak. In a worst-case scenario in commercial settings, entire flocks must be humanely culled to stop the spread, so it’s essential to do what you can to prevent bird flu infections before they can begin.
How does a human catch bird flu?
While low risk, it is possible for humans and other mammals to catch bird flu. This happens if a person or mammal touches a surface or material that is contaminated with the virus and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes. It can also be contracted by breathing in droplets or dust that contain the virus.
When a person is infected with bird flu, they may experience flu-like symptoms, as well as unpleasant stomach issues, conjunctivitis, or shortness of breath. Fortunately, it’s incredibly rare for people to pass this disease to each other, so, typically, the chain in humans ends with the first infected person.
Latest bird flu news
There is currently an outbreak of bird flu in England, as of the time this post was written. The season’s first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the most serious type of bird flu, was confirmed in early November. Last year, cases were confirmed across the country, including in Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Cornwall. Disease control zones have been placed, either resulting in success or still ongoing.
What is a bird flu disease control zone?
Control zones are areas of surveillance or monitoring that are put in place around suspected and confirmed cases of bird flu outbreaks.
- For suspected cases, temporary control zones may be implemented across either a 3km or 10km radius around the infected source.
- For confirmed cases, disease control zones around the premises will be enforced at a 3km or 10km radius to prevent the flu from spreading.
- For confirmed cases of low pathogenic avian influenza, a 1km restricted zone may be implemented around the area.
- For highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed cases, either a 3km protective zone and a 10km surveillance zone or a 3km captive bird monitoring zone will be put in place.
Disease control zones have specific rules. To find the zone and its rules that could affect you and your premises, visit the government’s animal disease cases page and select the location you’re concerned about.
How to prevent bird flu in poultry
1. Register as a birdkeeper
By registering as a keeper of birds, you’ll be contacted whenever there is a bird flu outbreak. This is useful for staying up to date, and not to mention it’s the law to register. Find more about the legal requirements for bird keepers.
2. Separate your birds
Keep your captive birds separate from each other. This means separating ducks and geese from birds like turkeys, chickens and pheasants. Signs of bird flu aren’t as obvious in geese and ducks, so it can be passed on to other birds before you realise it.
3. Prevent wild bird contact
Wild birds are more likely to carry bird flu. The virus can be picked up from the droppings, feathers and carcasses of wild birds, so ensure you keep them away from your property and captive birds.
The best way to do this is to make your property unattractive to wild birds. Use bird deterrents like scarecrows, foils, or spike stripes to keep them away from your land and minimise the chance of spreading infection. Check for their droppings and feathers and clear them up promptly, and cover any bedding, food and water to prevent wild birds from reaching them.
4. Maintain areas used by your birds
Regular maintenance of all areas accessed by your captive birds is essential to their health and preventing bird flu outbreaks.
Outdoor areas
Some captive bird keepers do not house their birds. For those keepers, birds must be kept in fenced or netted outdoor areas. Standing water should be closed off, all food and drinking water should be stored somewhere enclosed, and all hard surfaces should be regularly cleaned, such as concrete paths.
Ponds and open water
Keep ponds and open water fenced off and/or covered if possible to deter wild birds from visiting and spreading infection.
Bird housing and equipment
Houses and containment areas need to be clean, so it’s important to set up a regular maintenance schedule. Clean hard surfaces, equipment that you use for bird products such as eggs and feed, and vehicles that travel between premises.
When disinfecting during cleaning, ensure you’re using a Defra-approved disinfectant, such as Kilko Cyclex Disinfectant for building surfaces or the Kilko Virex Defra Disinfectant for surfaces, equipment, and water systems.
5. Wear clean clothing
Don’t enter a bird house wearing dirty clothing or footwear that could have been contaminated. It’s best to have dedicated clothing for each bird containment area that stays within the area. This includes dedicated footwear, but if this isn’t possible then use a foot dip to disinfect your shoes each time you enter and exit a bird house.
6. Invest in rodent and pest control
Rodents such as rats and mice can carry around bird flu without being infected with it. This is because rodents run through wild bird droppings, which results in the rodents carrying the virus on their feet and fur. If rodents get into your captive bird areas, it will be near-impossible to prevent an outbreak.
Use rodenticides and traps to keep your property rat and mouse-free, but ensure the products you use don’t pose a danger to your birds. We recommend traps, cages and bait stations so that your birds can’t get to the poison, such as our Mouse Bait Boxes with Storm Secure Poison Blocks. For the perimeter of your property, where your captive birds can’t reach, use rodenticides such as Rolled Oats Rat Poison to prevent rodents from reaching your enclosure.
For more specific recommendations, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01842 765 634 and we’ll work out which product is best for your requirements. If you’d like to learn more about preparing against rodents, especially when the temperatures drop, read our winter rodent preparedness guide.
AFS Supplies can help you stop the spread of avian flu
As experts in pest control, poultry supplements and bio security, you can trust us to offer the right products and advice when protecting your birds from avian influenza. Our knowledgeable team have years of experience in health and hygiene for multiple industries, including farming and agriculture.
To learn more about what you need to protect your birds, get in touch today. We’ll recommend the right equipment for your needs and deliver it to your site, ready for you to keep your birds safe.
