Targeted avian influenza controls introduced in England

Parts of Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside are now the only places in England to remain subject to avian influenza controls after Defra lifted restrictions elsewhere on May 15. Defra introduced a targeted avian influenza prevention zone after a risk assessment found that, while the overall risk in England had not increased, there was a heightened risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the regions. The decision followed recent confirmed cases of disease in the Wyre district, indicating that the H5N8 virus is still circulating in resident wild birds or is present in the environment. The areas remaining under restriction have significant wild waterfowl populations. Districts still under restriction  Barrow-in-Furness  South Lakeland  Lancaster  Blackpool  Wyre  Fylde  Preston  Sefton  West Lancashire  South Ribble  Chorley The new localised prevention zone requires poultry keepers to continue to observe mandatory disease prevention measures, such as minimising movement in and out of bird...
Source: Veterinary Record - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research