Veterinary practice offers advice on avian flu risks following outbreak near Bridlington

A town veterinary practice is offering advice to poultry and bird owners following an avian flu outbreak near Bridlington.
By Phil Hutchinson
Published 2nd Sep 2022, 10:01 BST
Updated 2nd Sep 2022, 14:11 BST
The highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Bridlington. Image: DefraThe highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Bridlington. Image: Defra
The highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Bridlington. Image: Defra

Aldgate Veterinary Practice, which has sites in both Bridlington and Driffield, is asking people to be cautious and not take risks during the avian flu outbreak.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was suspected in commercial poultry on Saturday, August 27 at a premises near Bridlington. This was confirmed the day afterwards after official testing.

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The Temporary Control Zone was revoked and replaced by a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone. All poultry on the premises had to be humanely culled.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone are in place.A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone are in place.
A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone are in place.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) statement on its website said: “When avian influenza is confirmed or suspected in poultry or other captive birds, disease control zones are put in place around the infected premises to prevent the spread of the disease. Within these zones a range of restrictions on the movement of poultry and material associated with their keeping can apply.”

Defra has also urged people not to approach dead or ill birds and called on them to report any suspected case of avian influenza.

Lucy Butler, one of Aldgate’s directors, said: “We strongly urge any poultry or captive bird keepers to be cautious and not take risks during the avian flu outbreak. It’s important that they follow the advice in the guidelines.

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“Avian flu poses a very low risk to human health, but can be very dangerous for birds – especially wild birds. The outbreak could be especially harmful to seabird colonies across the East Yorkshire coast.

“To keep both the public and local bird populations safe, control measures have therefore been drawn up by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which has been managing similar outbreaks across the UK.

“The 3km Protection Zone covers the area within Grindale, Buckton, Bempton, Boynton and just outside Sewerby. The wider 10km Surveillance Zone stretches down to Fraisthorpe, to Rudston in the West, and north to Filey.”

Go to tinyurl.com/ynexctkf to see more bird flu advice delivered by Aldgate Vets.

Click here for more information from Aldgate Vets

Related topics:Bridlington