Bird Flu Case Confirmed Near Ely

Following a confirmed case of avian influenza (bird flu) at a premises near Ely, Cambridgeshire County Council’s Trading Standards team is working with DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to identify all poultry and captive birds in the area.

Two disease control zones have been put in place surrounding the infected premises to try to stop the further spread of the disease – a 3km Protection Zone encompassing Pymoor and part of Little Downham, and a wider 10km Surveillance Zone which includes Ely, Littleport, Chatteris, Manea and Welney. A map of the protection and surveillance zones can be found at AI - Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone - declaration (publishing.service.gov.uk).

All bird keepers in the country were already required to adhere to National Avian Influenza Prevention Zone requirements which were put in place in November 2021, which include extensive biosecurity measures and the requirement to house all poultry and captive birds. The Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone introduce additional requirements, in particular extensive movement restrictions and a licensing regime. 

From tomorrow (Tuesday 12 April), Trading Standards officers will be calling at homes within the zone to ascertain if birds are kept at that location. If they are, the information will be referred to APHA for veterinary assessment to determine if a health check on the birds is required. All officers will produce photo ID, will not enter your home, nor will they need to view any birds.

Trading Standards is also responsible for enforcement if any of the rules within the National Avian Influenza Prevention Zone or the Declaratory Order are breached. These rules are there to protect not only livelihoods and valuable commercial bird stocks, but also much loved pets, and with such a virulent strain it is vital bird keepers adhere to them. Anyone with concerns about breaches should report the information to Cambridgeshire County Council’s customer services team on 0345 045 5206.

Road signs marked ‘Animal Disease Control Zone’ will also be erected by the council on behalf of APHA in the coming week to make bird transporters aware they are entering an animal disease control zone. With the exception of some transporters moving to export, they continue to be able to pass through the zone, but generally speaking they are not able to stop within the zone.

Defra will also be writing to all households in the Surveillance Zone reminding them of the risk to poultry and captive birds and asking them to voluntarily register their flocks. There is a requirement to undertake surveillance in these zones for at least three months.

If keepers are in one of these zones, they may be contacted at any time during this period to advise that they have been selected at random for a surveillance visit, so APHA visits will continue even when the disease control zones have been lifted.

In terms of the risk to public health, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to human health is very low. Nevertheless, the public are being asked not to touch dead birds but should report them to DEFRA by calling 03459 33 55 77.

The Food Standards Agency has also stated that on the basis of current scientific evidence, bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are still safe to eat.