Bird flu warning for Worcestershire as 'wild' cases confirmed

Public urged not to touch sick or dead wild birds as avian influenza confirmed in Worcestershire.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have now confirmed there is avian influenza A(H5N1) also called 'bird flu', in wild bird populations in Worcestershire.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging people not to touch any sick or dead wild birds following die off in local wildfowl including the swans in Worcester City.

To reduce the risks of spreading the disease and protect poultry and captive birds, the Government has added Worcestershire to the list of areas where mandatory housing measures will now apply after coming into force on Sunday 16 February.

In addition, the whole of Great Britain has been declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).

Worcestershire County Council's Trading Standards team is highlighting what this means for people keeping birds and the biosecurity measures they must follow.

Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese must follow biosecurity measures, such as mandatory housing to prevent further outbreaks of avian influenza in the county.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the risk to human health is very low but globally, there have been a few cases in humans, with most cases resulting from direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry (domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat). Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health for Worcestershire, said: "The risks to people from this strain of bird flu are very small however I urge bird keepers in Worcestershire to follow the guidance and help us to keep everyone safe.

"If you have had contact with bird droppings, please take extra care with both removing footwear and washing hands thoroughly."

Guidance on effective handwashing is available on our website worcestershire.gov.uk/CleanHandsSafeHands 

If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, please do not touch them:

In Worcester City Council area

Contact the city council at www.worcester.gov.uk/report-it

Outside the Worcester area

Notify the Defra helpline on 03459 335 577

Reporting sick or injured birds

Please do not touch or pick up any sick or injured birds that you find – contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999

For further advice see GOV.UK

For more information for bird keepers, including a biosecurity checklist, go to Avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ): biosecurity checklist for bird keepers - GOV.UK

For guidance on housing birds safely: Bird flu (avian influenza): housing your birds safely - GOV.UK