Bird flu case confirmed with Kent villages in 10km surveillance zone
A bird flu case has been confirmed just off the Kent Border in East Sussex. The Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has verified a case at a premises in Udimore, Rye.
All poultry on the premises is set to be humanely culled, and Defra has set up a 3km protection zone around the premises and a 10km surveillance zone. This spreads north to cover Wittersham bringing the surveillance zone into Kent. Travelling east the surveillance zone stretches to Camber bringing it almost to the Kent border.
Birds within the 3km zone should be kept indoors and there, with no movement of birds or eggs within, or out of, the 3km zone except under license. Within the 10km there are also steps that need to be taken including keeper of birds taking records of visitors and poultry movement.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
All keepers of birds are now required to register their premises, excluding keepers of birds such as budgies, parrots, cockatiels and finches where birds are fully housed with no access to open air. Keepers can register online or email customer.registration@apha.gov.uk or call 03000 200 301 if more support is required.
If you find small numbers of dead wild birds you can dispose of them in household or municipal bins, following the government’s safety advice. There is no need to report dead birds unless you find a large number of them in one place. Removing and disposing of dead wild birds - GOV.UK or by calling 03459 33 55 77.
East Sussex County Council and other local partners are working with Defra to contain further spread. More information on the Udimore case can be found here