A case of bird flu has been confirmed at a premises in Wales. The case near Arthog, in Gwynedd, is the sixth to have been detected in Wales in the past year.
Bird flu has been found at scores of poultry farms and commercial premises across the UK in the past year, while the disease has also ripped through breeding colonies of seabirds, killing thousands in some sites.
The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Gavin Watkins, confirmed the latest case in Wales and said that a 3km protection and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the infected premises.
Read more: Bird flu has jumped to seabirds and is spreading fast
Within these zones, bird movements and gatherings are restricted and all holdings that keep birds must be declared. The measures are stricter in the 3km Protection Zone.
The UK health agencies advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the UK food standards agencies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.
But members of the public are urged to wash, and if possible disinfect, footwear and hands before leaving places with large number of wildfowl like parks and bird reserves. They should also report, but not touch, dead birds.
People should report dead birds and suspicion of avian influenza to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Gavin Watkins, said: “This sixth case of avian influenza in Wales in the last 12 months is cause for concern and evidence of the continuing risk that is out there to our birds.
“There has been an unprecedented incursion of avian influenza into Great Britain and Europe in 2022 and keepers of birds must be vigilant and ensure they have the very highest levels of biosecurity in place. There is always more that can be done to protect your birds.
“As we move into the Autumn and Winter, I urge you all to review the measures you have in place and identify areas of improvement. Think about risks from direct contact with wild birds, especially waterfowl, and also the things that could be contaminated by bird droppings – clothing and footwear, equipment, vehicles, feed and bedding. Make improvements where you can to prevent further spread of this devastating bird disease.
“Good biosecurity is always key in protecting animals from disease.”
Last week, official said that wild birds from threatened roseate terns, puffins and gannets to hen harriers are being hit by an "unprecedented" avian flu outbreak
The Environment Department (Defra) and Welsh Government have set out new guidance to land managers, the public and conservation groups to curb the impact of bird flu in wild birds, while protecting health and the countryside..
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