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30
Jan
Protection zone in place after bird flu cases confirmed in North Yorkshire
A protection zone has been put in place after two cases of bird flu have been confirmed in North Yorkshire.
A three-kilometre protection zone and a wider 10-kilometre surveillance zone have been introduced around the Easingwold area in the county by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
North Yorkshire Council has urged bird owners across the county to help prevent the spread of bird flu.
The zones bring additional requirements such as the need for appropriate record keeping, enhanced biosecurity measures and the restriction of unnecessary bird movements for all bird owners.
To prevent the further spread of the disease, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) – which was already in place across the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk – is also now in place for York and North Yorkshire.
Cllr Greg White, executive member of managing our environment at the North Yorkshire Council, said:
The mandatory housing order and additional measures are there to protect birds across North Yorkshire and York.
This virus brings a significant cost whether that is financial or emotional and we all must do everything possible to mitigate its spread.
If you haven’t registered your birds then please do so and we urge people to comply with the requirements laid out by the Government.
Even if you haven’t yet registered your flock, it is very important to report any birds that seem unwell, as we need to stop the spread of the disease in the first instance.
The measures imposed in the AIPZ include mandatory enhanced biosecurity and housing for all kept birds.
The requirements will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the Government’s plan to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
Since October 2024, compulsory registration of poultry and captive birds has been required.
The risk to public health from the virus is very low, and properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
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