Bird flu forces poultry across Norfolk and Suffolk indoors

All poultry and other captive birds are to be kept indoors from midday on Monday 23 December because of a rise in bird flu cases.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the measures "in response to the escalating local risk and number of cases of bird flu in the area."

The measures apply to bird keepers who have pet birds or commercial flocks across the whole of Norfolk and Suffolk and are in addition to the requirement to follow the stringent biosecurity measures which have been in force since the 13 December as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).

Eight cases have now been identified across Norfolk, with a total of 11 recorded nationally.

The UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: "There continues to be a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

"We have taken action to try and prevent the further spread of disease and urge bird keepers to comply with the new housing measures."

She said bird keepers must continue to "exercise robust biosecurity measures" which includes restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Christine Middlemiss also said bird keepers should "remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."

The department reiterated that the new measures would not have an impact on the supply of Christmas turkey and that the current risk to human health remains very low.

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