Keepers urged to remain 'vigilant' as bird flu cases found near Crickhowell

Bird flu has been detected on a mixed poultry premises near Crickhowell.

The premises hold chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, swans and rheas.

The Welsh government said a 3km Protection Zone, a 10km Surveillance Zone and a 10km Restricted Zone have been declared around the infected premises, to limit the risk of disease spread.

It added the "risk to public health from the virus is considered to be very low and these cases do not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers."

On Monday, the Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland brought into force new mandatory housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza. 

The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Christianne Glossop, said:

“This confirmation of a case of avian influenza in mixed poultry is further evidence of the need for all keepers of birds to ensure they have the very highest levels of biosecurity in place."

“This is the third case of avian influenza to be confirmed in Wales this winter so far, which highlights the importance for keepers of birds to be vigilant."

“Public Health Wales has said the risk to the health of the public from Avian Influenza is very low and the Food Standards Agency has made clear it does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers."

 “Suspicion of avian influenza or any other notifiable disease must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.”