INFORMATION BULLETIN
Date: 15 November 2007
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
H5N1 Avian Influenza update
Defra has today made available general licences to address immediate issues relating to the movement of bird by-products and mammals in the zones in place for Avian Influenza.
Bird by-products may now be moved freely between zones and to the unrestricted parts of the country. Mammals may move direct to or from premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept in the Protection or Surveillance Zones. Movements of hatching eggs may also be permitted under specific licence available from Animal Health.
All movements are subject to strict adherence to licence conditions, including biosecurity measures. The national ban on bird gatherings and movement restrictions in the zones remain firmly in place. It is essential that poultry keepers are vigilant in checking their birds and report signs of notifiable disease immediately.
Also today, the decision has been taken to reclassify the cull at one of the four dangerous contacts premises identified yesterday to a slaughter on suspicion of Avian Influenza.
During preparation for the cull at this premises, which is in the existing Protection Zone, avian notifiable disease could not be ruled out. Samples have been taken for laboratory testing. There is no timetable for when these results will be received.
The strain of Avian Influenza present at the Infected Premises near Diss is similar to that found in Germany, France and the Czech Republic during the summer. A full epidemiological investigation is underway and all avenues into the origin of this outbreak are being investigated. Surveillance of poultry premises in the Protection Zone is underway, surveillance of wild birds has been increased in Norfolk and Suffolk and the national targeted wild bird surveillance programme is ongoing.
Further information
1. The Defra Helpline (08459 33 55 77) is currently open 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday for calls relating to Avian Influenza. Poultry keepers can also call the Animal Health recorded information line for the latest updates, on 0844 884 4600.
2. The details on the measures that apply in the current zones can be found on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm
End
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Page modified: 15 November 2007
Page published: 15 November 2007 18:00