A national order requiring all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors is set to be introduced from next week as the UK faces its largest ever outbreak of bird flu. The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer has made a decision following an increase in the national risk of bird flu in wild birds to 'very high'.
From 00:01 on Monday, November 7, all bird keepers in England must keep their birds indoors and follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease - regardless of type or size. The mandatory housing measures have already been in place in the hotspot areas of Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex, but the order will be extended throughout the whole of England.
The UK has been battling the largest ever outbreak of avian influenza, with more than 200 cases confirmed since late October 2021. The introduction of the housing measures comes after the disease was detected at over 70 premises since the beginning of October, as well as multiple reports in wild birds.
