Bird flu confirmed in Forres and Crieff

A 'Protection Zone' and a 'Surveillance Zone' have been declared after highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed at a premises near Crieff, Perth and Kinross on December 17 at Purreldeggie Farm, Southwood, PH7 3QP.

It comes on the back of another recent confirmation in Forres following confirmation of bird flu at a premises in the town.

The Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland imposed the measures around the IV36 1HA area of Forres on December 14.

Zones currently remain in place for two locations near Banff and one near Turriff - but with no further local outbreaks these are expected to be downgraded in the coming weeks.

Within the 3km Protection Zone (PZ) you must:

• Keep poultry and other captive birds housed inside their buildings. If this is impractical or significantly detrimental to welfare, then a veterinary inspector may direct you to isolate birds without housing them.
• Ensure all carcasses are disposed of in accordance with the instructions of a vet.
• Adhere to strict bio-security measures.

Within the 10km Surveillance Zone (SZ) you must:

• Not move poultry meat, litter, eggs, other livestock or animals in or out of the zone unless under licence.
• Record any individuals visiting the premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept.
• Not permit any poultry or captive birds to be exhibited at any fair, market, show, or gathering.
• Not release game birds.

Jim Grant, Moray Council's environmental health chief, said: "We urge all bird and poultry keepers to read and understand the requirements set out by law that they must abide by. It’s crucial that owners take steps to prevent potential transmission between birds.

"While some strains of bird flu can pass to humans this is very rare, so the risk to public health remains low. It usually requires very close contact between humans and infected birds, droppings or bedding, or killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking.

"You can’t catch bird flu through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs but the advice is still to avoid touching dead birds or poultry and report suspected bird flu to Defra on 03459 33 55 77."

Keepers can find out if their premises are in these zones via the APHA interactive map HERE.

Residents are in a PZ or SZ if the whole or part of their premises falls within the zone.

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