Ayrshire records the latest Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak
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Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in Scotland and in other parts of the UK with the latest case confirmed at a premises near Beith, North Ayrshire on Friday, March18.
A 3km Protection Zone (PZ) and 10km Surveillance Zone (SZ) were declared, which took effect from 7.30pm on March 18.
This means movement restrictions within these zones - for example, poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure - to prevent any further spread of disease.
Vigilance by bird keepers is important and any suspicion of disease should be reported immediately to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office.
You can report suspected cases in Scotland by contacting your local Field Services Office.
Other recent cases include near Collieston in Aberdeenshire which was confirmed at a premises on March 11 with PZ and SZ in place.
H5N1 was confirmed at a premises near Barthol Chapel on January 22.
This premises was deemed a “special category premises” due its non-commercial nature.
As a result of this, and based on a veterinary risk assessment, no new disease control zones were applied.
The dead wild bird surveillance programme has identified cases in a variety of wild bird species across Scotland including in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, with Dalmadilly Ponds near Kemnay and Muir of Dinnet nature reserve the most recent locations with confirmed incidents.
