Restrictions brought in following bird ‘flu outbreak in Bromborough
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s animal health team is advising bird keepers in the borough of new restrictions concerning the control of avian influenza (bird ‘flu).
On Sunday 9 February, an outbreak of bird ‘flu was confirmed in commercial poultry at premises near Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone was declared around the premises, and all poultry on the premises were required to be humanely culled.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride, Councillor Stuart Bingham, said: “The infected premises are very close to the border of Cheshire West and Chester and both the 3km protection zone and the 10km surveillance zone extend into the borough.
“In Cheshire West, the 3km protection zone affects mainly the wards of Willaston and Thornton, Neston, Little Neston and Parkgate. The wider 10km surveillance zone takes in part of Saughall and Mollington and all the Ellesmere Port urban wards.
“These zones have been established to stop the movement of birds and prevent the spread of the infection and do not restrict the movement of people.”
In addition it has now been announced that mandatory housing measures will apply across Cheshire and Merseyside from midnight (00.01) on Sunday 16 February.
Owners of captive birds are asked to check the APHA Interactive Avian Influenza Disease Map* to see if their premises are in the restricted control zones. In a disease control zone, you must follow the rules applicable to the zone. Definitive requirements are set out in the published declarations for the disease control zone in force.
Requirements for all bird owners will include (from Sunday 16 February): compulsory housing of poultry and captive birds throughout Cheshire; restrictions on the movements of mammals onto and off premises in both the 3km and 10km zones where poultry and captive birds are kept and a requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, regardless of type or size.
The Council’s animal health team is working with Wirral Council, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), Public Health England (PHE) and other partners to respond to the outbreak and to ensure that all zone requirements are met.
The risk to human health remains very low.
Cllr Bingham added: “All bird keepers are encouraged to maintain high standards of biosecurity as good practice for the health of their birds. Good biosecurity is an essential defence against diseases such as avian influenza and is key to limiting the spread of the disease in an outbreak.”
Keepers are reminded that the compulsory registration of poultry and captive birds with APHA has been required since 1 October 2024 regardless of how many birds are kept. If you keep poultry or captive birds that are not kept entirely in your home and have not registered, you must do so now.
Further information is available on the Gov.uk website
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stop-it-spreading
Anyone who finds dead wild birds should report them to DEFRA on 03459 335577.
*updated mandatory housing measures will display from Saturday 15 February 2025