Avian flu Protection Measures in force.

[Chasingmytail]

As Im in Wales then if I want to put my hens on pasture (bit early but could be end of March) I have to fill in a self assessment form. I still dont understand how this will work for me as pasture raised hens. I have no way of keeping wild birds out of my system???

 

[llamedos]

Avian Influenza H5N8 virus has been identified on a premises near Redgrave during investigations following a recent nearby case.

Defra’s routine investigations following a confirmed case of H5N8 near Redgrave in Suffolk have led to the detection of the virus at a further separate premises.

Due to the unacceptable high risk and to contain the possible spread of avian flu, the UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has today (3 March) confirmed that proactive culling of around 55,000 birds will take place.

The premises will then be cleansed and disinfected, further reducing the risk to other birds. A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone are already in place following the previous case in the area. Our investigations will continue and the restrictions already placed on the site will remain in force until cleansing and disinfection is finished and the investigation is complete.

 

[Lincs Lass]

Have the restrictions been lifted ,neighbors let their chucks out yesterday

 

[llamedos]

Have the restrictions been lifted ,neighbors let their chucks out yesterday

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index...-of-avian-flu-in-england-after-28-feb.157736/

Map

http://www.gisdiseasemap.defra.gov.uk/intmaps/avian/map.jsp

 

[Old Boar]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-39103191

So hens out or what?

 

[orchard]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-39103191

So hens out or what?

I think it's a 'yes' if you can minimise the risk of infection according to their requirements

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Is it all over now? No new cases for a while?

 

[Lincs Lass]

Only thing Ive heard about is no gatherings ,,ie shows or marts till end of May

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Looks like the measures are working?

 

[Philip Watkins]

Looks like the measures are working?

Or migrant birds have gone back where they came from.

 

[Kidds]

Or migrant birds have gone back where they came from.

If it is as deadly as they say it is they'd be dead by now, not flying anywhere.

The thing that puzzles me is why more birds haven't died. Why aren't all the pheasants dead for example, they are about as chicken like as you are going to get without actually being a chicken.

 

[RushesToo]

If it is as deadly as they say it is they'd be dead by now, not flying anywhere.

The thing that puzzles me is why more birds haven't died. Why aren't all the pheasants dead for example, they are about as chicken like as you are going to get without actually being a chicken.

This is seriously TL;DR [Too Long, Didn't Read] so sorry.

Summary here:
In short, of course the virus has died out, it was stupid and killed all the hosts, we made it kill less on the way by keeping stock safe until it burnt out.

Detail here:
Normal evolution of a virus follows rules:
All viruses mutate. The important things are how quickly they change how long they are infectious , how much damage they do and how quickly resistance is built up.

The extremes are seen at the beginning of an infection [think SARS which stayed in the far east.] The early version of a virus lasts for a very short time.
Easily caught and deadly, end result all hosts die, virus dies.

After a period it is the difference between SARS and a cold and looks like this:
Everyone gets it but doesn't die, infectious when it has a good chance of passing it on [think colds in winter when there is no sun/UV to kill it and the air is warm and wet] All hosts survive and the virus sits quietly working out how to hit next. Quietly mutates and works out the next battle, mostly it will come on a flank [cold] every now and then it will go nuclear [ebola]

Viruses are in an arms war with hosts, if they kill kill hosts then they will die, if they don't they live to fight another day. There will still be Hiroshima's and Spanish Flu's. Hiroshima seemed to stop humans being quite so stupid for quite a while. Spanish Flu is estimated to have killed more than the all the wars in the 20th Centuries this also seems to have stopped. There is no guarantee on either remaining in abeyance.

In short, of course the virus has died out, it was stupid and killed all the hosts, we made it kill fewer on the way by keeping stock safe until it burnt out.

 

[Philip Watkins]

If it is as deadly as they say it is they'd be dead by now, not flying anywhere.

The thing that puzzles me is why more birds haven't died. Why aren't all the pheasants dead for example, they are about as chicken like as you are going to get without actually being a chicken.

All the ones that got infected are dead I suppose. Wild populations are thinly spread so less likely for infected and uninfected birds to come together until migrations occur. We will never know how many of our native wild birds got infected, most sick birds slink off and die under cover.

 

[spin cycle]

Or migrant birds have gone back where they came from.

quite

If it is as deadly as they say it is they'd be dead by now, not flying anywhere.

The thing that puzzles me is why more birds haven't died. Why aren't all the pheasants dead for example, they are about as chicken like as you are going to get without actually being a chicken.

pheasants/game birds are more susceptible....in order waterfowl,game birds,chickens and so on

big birds like geese/swans can fight/survive the disease for longer..if they died quickly it couldn't have got here in the first place

 

[Kidds]

pheasants/game birds are more susceptible....in order waterfowl,game birds,chickens and so on

big birds like geese/swans can fight/survive the disease for longer..if they died quickly it couldn't have got here in the first place

The disease was in France ( amongst other places), any bird can be infected in France and able to fly here in a day. They don't have to survive for long.
Fingers crossed it's over for now.

 

[Philip Watkins]

http://www.poultryworld.net/Health/...ultry|2017-03-24|H7N9_risk_addressed_in_China
H7N9 risk addressed in China
A resurgent outbreak of a new strain of avian influenza that can be lethal for humans underscores the need for robust and rapid detection and response systems at animal source. This would reduce the risk associated with virus spread and impacts on public health, according to Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Human cases of the H7N9 virus, first detected in China 4 years ago, have suddenly increased since December 2016. It is estimated, that as of early March 2017, there have been more reported human cases of influenza A (H7N9) than those caused by other types of avian influenza viruses (H5N1, H5N6, etc.) combined.

 

[landslave the 2nd]

Looks like we can let them out on Thursday 13 th
Can someone put the official link up... @llamedos

 

[Philip Watkins]

From an email yesterday

Removal of housing requirement in Higher Risk Areas from 13 April

We have today announced https://www.gov.uk/government/news/updated-measures-to-protect-poultry-against-avian-flu that all poultry in England are to be allowed outside from Thursday 13 April following updated evidence on the risk posed by wild birds.
The requirement to house or fully net poultry in Higher Risk Areas of England, introduced on 28 February to minimise the risk of them catching avian flu from wild birds, will be lifted.
All poultry keepers must however continue to implement the enhanced biosecurity measures we introduced on 28 February. This includes taking steps to reduce the risk to their birds, including minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures, cleaning footwear, keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy and feeding birds indoors. If you have over 500 birds there are additional measures which you also must continue to implement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/updated-measures-to-protect-poultry-against-avian-flu .

The ban on poultry gatherings announced on 20 December also remains in place.
The decision to lift the housing requirement is based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice, which concludes that the level of risk to poultry in the Higher Risk Areas has now reduced to the same level as that across the rest of England. This is because of changes in the wild bird population: the majority of over-wintering migratory birds have now left the UK, and resident wild waterfowl are at their lowest levels and entering the breeding season when they become less likely to move long distances to forage for food.

The risk of poultry becoming infected from H5N8 remains heightened and countries across Europe continue to experience outbreaks and observe cases in wild birds. Defra is stepping up surveillance of wild birds across the UK to inform our risk assessments.
Poultry keepers who are planning to let their birds outdoors on Thursday are strongly advised to take action now to minimise any residual contamination in outdoor areas by following the guidance on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#detailed-advice. They are also advised to consult with their private vet if they are worried about the risk of their birds becoming infected.
Defra Exotic Disease Control
10 April 2017

Sent on behalf of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

 

[Chickcatcher]

Back again I hear an outbreak in Lancashire back yard flock.

 

[Kidds]

Back again I hear an outbreak in Lancashire back yard flock.

That's alarming news.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-flu-confirmed-at-a-farm-near-thornton-wyre-lancashire
Fortunately restricted to a small flock, although i bet the owner doesn't feel fortunate.