Bird Flu Confirmed- Wyre, Lancashire

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The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation is informing its members that there has been a confirmed outbreak of H5N8 Bird Flu in a small backyard flock of chickens at a farm near Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire.

The Order declaring the outbreak was published by Defra on the evening of Thursday 4 May, putting 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone in place around the infected premises. The flock is estimated to contain around 30 birds. A number have died and the few remaining live birds at the premises are being humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection. You can see the Order, view a map of the zones and read the detailed and extensive restrictions in place here.

The restrictions within the 3km and 10 km zones include a requirement to house or to otherwise separate all kept birds from wild birds. They also require increased record keeping in relation to any visitors and bird movements. No gamebird releasing is allowed within the 3km and 10 km zones and any movement of birds into or out of the zones requires a licence from a Government veterinary inspector.

A Defra interactive map is available and kept up to date so you can check if the restrictions around any premises affect you.

Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

Shooting is not restricted where 3km Protection and 10km Surveillance Zones are in force. The NGO would urge however shooting interests in the vicinity of bird flu outbreaks to consider their future planning at this time.

A spokesman for the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation said: “It is disappointing that after many weeks without a confirmed case, bird flu has again been found in the UK. With gamebird rearing now well underway and releasing due to start from June, the timing of this outbreak is not good. We continue to stress to all NGO members and others with captive birds the importance of following enhanced biosecurity, making every effort to keep captive birds separate from wild birds. Please keep checking for updates on the NGO website and on our social media.”

Other important information

The NGO reminds its members and others in the shooting community that government came together with countryside and shooting organisations on 3 March and issued important (revised) information about bird flu to all those specifically involved with gamebirds. For the background to that announcement and for the link leading to the advice, please click here.

The NGO continues to ask its members to be vigilant and to report any dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls or five or more dead wild birds of other species, when encountered in the same location in unusual circumstances, to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77. Details of how to spot the symptoms of bird flu can be found here

Official guidance and advice on all relevant aspects of avian influenza – from implementing biosecurity measures to spotting symptoms and how to go about reporting suspected cases – are available in a directory on the Defra website. It can be viewed by clicking here