Bird keepers urged to be vigilant as another wild bird flu case confirmed in Orkney

Bird keepers in Orkney are being urged to be vigilant as another case of wild bird flu has been confirmed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) today, Friday. 

The dead wild goose discovered in Shapinsay was found to have HPAI – more commonly known as bird flu. The Local Health Protection Team at NHS Orkney and the Council have been advised in accordance with partner agreements. 

Last month a dead buzzard in South Ronaldsay was confirmed to have the disease. 

The Council’s Trading Standards Manager, Gary Foubister, said: “It is key that the public continue to be vigilant in monitoring the health of their kept birds; in reporting any suspicion of disease promptly; and in applying strict biosecurity.  

“By implementing biosecurity measures folk can reduce the likelihood of their kept birds being infected.”  

Biosecurity measures include:  

Cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry or other captive birds – if practical, making use of disposable protective clothing.  

Reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and other captive birds are kept, and use of effective rodent control.  

Keeping government-approved fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points.  

Minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and other captive birds with wild birds.  

Fencing off areas of standing water that may attract wild waterfowl, so they are inaccessible to poultry.  

More information about avian influenza, including biosecurity guidance, is available at www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza