Chatteris, Manea and Welney included in 'surveillance zone' after bird flu case is confirmed nearby

Chatteris Manea and Welney are all included in a 10km 'surveillance zone' brought into effect after a case of bird flu was confirmed nearby.

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

As a result, 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.

Disease control zones are only lifted once all disease control and surveillance activities in the zones have been successfully completed and there are no suspect cases under investigation in the zones.

Cambridgeshire County Council has a role in supporting DEFRA and APHA as part of the national animal disease contingency plan, with its Trading Standards team responsible for identifying all captive birds within the protection zone.

From tomorrow (Tuesday, April 12), 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.

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.

Peter Gell, assistant director for regulatory services at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I would encourage all poultry keepers to familiarise themselves with, and do their utmost to comply with, all restrictions now in place. We are a rural county, blessed with a wide range of commercial bird keepers. Their livelihoods and health of their flocks depend on all bird keepers – large and small - doing their bit to prevent the further spread of this disease.”

“Check your birds frequently for symptoms of bird flu– know the tell-tale signs and immediately report any ill-health to your veterinarian. If you suspect bird flu you should contact the DEFRA Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301.”

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.