UK Authorities Do Not Recommend Poultry Housing Requirement

Featured Article
Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary;  Nutrition / Diet;  Public Health
Article Date: 06 Apr 2006 - 17:00 PDT

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Despite H5N1 being confirmed in Scotland, Scottish and UK Chief Veterinary Officers have concluded that a national poultry housing requirement would be disproportionate.

In a joint statement, they said that Scottish and UK officials are undertaking an urgent veterinary risk assessment and are liaising with ornithological experts to determine the level of any risk it may pose to livestock (poultry) and other kept birds.

Apart from measures already taking place in the Protection and Surveillance Zones (a radius of 10km around where the dead bird was found), authorities are still considering whether there is a need for any additional regional measures. Defra said that as soon as the full veterinary assessment is complete further advice will be available.

(Defra = Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The two Chief Veterinary Officers stressed that Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) is a disease of birds and there is no reason for public health concern. For humans to become infected extremely close contact with infected birds, especially faeces, is required.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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