Animal health and welfare

Avian flu is highly contagious to other birds, but the risk to human health is very low.

The council is making all necessary preparations to protect public health and animal welfare from this virus.

Advice for the public

You can help to prevent the spread of Avian Flu by following this advice.

• Do not feed or touch the birds.
• Do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings.
• Keep to the footpath.
• Keep your dog on a lead.
• If you keep poultry or other birds, wash your hands and clean and disinfect your footwear before tending to your birds.
• Contact your GP or NHS 111 if you experience symptoms of bird flu and have visited an area affected by bird flu in past 10 days.

Report any dead birds you find

If you find a dead bird, do not touch it or move it.

Report any dead wild birds to Telford & Wrekin Council by the My Telford App or on 01952 384384

Report any sick or dying birds to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

Advice for bird keepers

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has also been put in place across England. The AIPZ means that all bird keepers need to take extra precautions, such as restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Defra has published biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity. This guidance, together with further updates on the latest avian influenza situation can be found via the GOV.UK website.

All bird keepers in England must:

• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
• keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
• minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
• prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas.

Check if you are in a bird flu disease zone.

If you’re in a bird flu disease zone you must follow the rules for that zone.

Last updated: 19/04/2023 10:21