London: The UK government has mandated that all poultry in England be kept indoors as avian influenza cases continue to rise.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the directive, which will come into effect on Thursday, requires bird keepers throughout England to house all poultry and captive birds, particularly if they have more than 50 birds or if they distribute eggs. This decision follows similar restrictions that were recently imposed in parts of northern, central, and eastern England.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss emphasized that the surge in avian influenza cases among both domesticated and wild birds necessitated the expansion of these housing measures across the entire country. Despite the growing number of cases, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated that the risk to human health remains “low” and reassured the public that “properly cooked” poultry and eggs are safe for consumption.
Between August 1 and late October, Europe recorded 85 avian flu outbreaks in poultry farms, with Britain accounting for six of these cases. The Europe-wide ESA animal health monitor noted that 28 outbreaks occurred in the final week of that period.
In response to an increase in cases earlier this year, the UK government implemented mandatory bird culls within a three-kilometer radius of confirmed cases and introduced enhanced hygiene and control measures across broader areas. The avian flu virus can be transmitted through droppings, saliva, or contaminated food and water. Currently, bird flu vaccinations are prohibited in the UK, except in zoological settings.