Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in a n avian influenza zone (AIPZ). By law you must follow strict biosecurity and hygiene rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.
In the AIPZ in England there are mandatory housing measures which mean you may have to house your birds.
If you have more than 50 birds you must house them. This applies to all types of birds.
If you keep less that 50 birds and they are for your own use only (for example you do not sell or give away their eggs or meat), you do not have to house them.
If you keep less than 50 birds but you do sell or give away their eggs, poultry products or live birds, you must house them.
More details can be found here
Advice for people who keep birds
Poultry keepers need to remain vigilant and follow the updated advice on GOV.UK.
Can people catch bird flu?
Human infections with avian influenza are extremely rare in the UK. Public Health England's advice is that the risk posed by this strain to human health is 'very low'.
Is there a risk to dogs?
Dogs are not natural hosts for bird flu and there have been no reported cases of them becoming infected by picking up dead birds. However, as a precaution you should take reasonable measures to prevent your dog coming into direct contact with wildfowl and ensure that they do not eat dead birds.
Reporting dead birds
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds such as gulls or birds of prey, you can report it to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
The birds will be collected and tested to help understand how the disease spreads geographically and in different types of birds.
Contact us if you are concerned that poultry keepers in Dorset are not protecting their birds.