Due to an increase in the detection of avian influenza (bird flu) in both kept and wild birds, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.

The AIPZ makes it a legal requirement for all bird keepers, whether they keep commercial stock or a backyard flock, to adhere to a range of biosecurity measures, including the need to: 

• Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and ensure that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds).
• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;
• Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas
• Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
• Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;

 Keepers should familiarise themselves with the full requirements online. The webpage also provides extensive practical advice and webinars on how to keep captive birds safe.

It is also advisable for keepers to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of the disease. Detailed guidance is available at the gov.uk information website. As bird flu is a 'notifiable disease' bird keepers are legally required to report any suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301. 

In the case of wild birds, if you were to find one or more dead bird of prey or owl, 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese, ducks) or 5 or more dead wild birds of any species, these should be reported to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 335577. However, you should not touch or pick up any sick or dead birds that you find. 

The avian influenza prevention zone will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government's work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu.

Rutland County Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Marc Oxley said: "It is now a legal requirement for anyone who keeps poultry, including as game birds or pets, to adhere to the requirements within the Prevention Zone. This applies whether you just have a few chickens in your back garden or keep poultry commercially on a farm.

"We are a rural county, blessed with a wide range of commercial bird stocks. The livelihood of their keepers and health of these birds depend on all bird keepers – large and small - doing their bit to prevent the spread of this disease, so we are asking everyone who looks after poultry to keep a close eye on them for any signs of disease and ensure they are staying on top of their biosecurity practices.

"I would like to stress that the risk to public health is very low, and properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are still safe to eat according to the Food Standards Agency."

Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer, added: "We are seeing a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across the country driven by high levels of disease within wild birds. Unfortunately we expect the number of cases to continue to rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK, bringing with them further risk of disease that can spread into our kept flocks. 

"We're taking action already by implementing a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone and housing measures in the worst-affected areas, but it is important that all bird keepers – wherever they are in the country – ensure that cleanliness and hygiene are at the forefront of their minds to keep their flocks safe and limit the impact of the outbreak."

Bird keepers with more than 50 birds, whether all the same species or a mixture, must register them by law with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Those with less than 50 birds are also strongly encouraged to register their birds with the APHA. Visit Poultry (including game birds): registration rules and forms - GOV.UK to register.

APHA runs a free disease alerts service for bird keepers to keep you up to date with the latest Avian Influenza developments. You can sign up at  APHA animal disease alert subscription service - GOV.UK.

For more information about Avian Flu, including symptoms and how to report sick birds to DEFRA please visit the gov.uk website.