Bird keepers urged to be vigilant as risk of wild bird flu virus continues

Bird keepers in Orkney are being asked to be vigilant as the bird flu virus continues to circulate among wild birds in the UK.  

The risk of HPAI, bird flu, in wild birds has increased from low to medium given the movement of migratory birds.  

The Council’s Trading Standards Manager, Gary Foubister, said: “It is key that the public are 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