Outbreak of avian flu confirmed at small holding near Southwell

An outbreak of avian flu has been confirmed at a small holding in Newark and Sherwood.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team is issuing advice and working with Newark and Sherwood District Council and other partner agencies to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease.

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the small holding near Southwell to restrict animal movements and visits.

Nottinghamshire Trading Standards is reminding all bird keepers in the 3km and 10km zones that it is a legal requirement to follow the measures that are in place in these areas.

Details of the disease control zone can be found on the UK government’s website.

Trading Standards officers will be visiting properties in the 3km protection zone to identify any households keeping any type of captive bird or poultry to advise them of the new restrictions. Road signs will also be in place to notify people that they are entering the 10km surveillance zone.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that although the risk to human health from the virus is very low, people can catch bird flu via direct contact with a live or dead bird carrying the virus, or via direct contact with bird faeces from a bird carrying the virus.

Therefore, it is vital that anyone spotting any sick or dead birds does not touch them and that they contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

It is important to stress, however, that humans cannot catch bird flu via airborne particles. Food standards bodies also advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. There is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products including eggs.

John Cottee, cabinet member for communities at the county council, said: “It’s sad to hear of another confirmed case of avian flu in Newark and Sherwood.

"Our trading standards officers will continue to visit properties in the area to identify bird owners and provide advice and guidance to help protect their flock.

"We remain grateful for the co-operation of bird keepers throughout Nottinghamshire who are helping to reduce the risk of avian flu spreading and would like to remind people not to touch or move any sick or dead birds that they find.”