Avian flu outbreak reported in premises in Daviot south of Inverness with protection zone in place
Avian flu has been found in premises south of Inverness, the Scottish Government has confirmed, with restrictions now in effect within the area to prevent the further spread of the disease.
According to a report published yesterday (March 18) Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected at s Tigh na Drochaid, Daviot, with a 3-km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone now in place.
Local residents are being urged to check whether their premises sit within these zones through an interactive map and to protect their birds and take steps to ensure the infection does not spread.
Key measures within the protection zone include strict record-keeping requirements for all premises housing poultry or captive birds, including visitor logs and detailed records of bird movements, health, and egg production.
All poultry and other captive birds must be housed or kept isolated to prevent contact with wild birds and other poultry.
Significant restrictions on the movement of animals and animal products are in place.
More details concerning the restrictions can be found on the Scottish Government’s website.
This follows an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (also knows as bird flu) in wild birds and other captive birds.
A protection zone was introduced on January 25, making it a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Scotland and England to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu.
At present, these are the only protection and surveillance zones in place in Scotland, with other cases detected in England.
When the protection zone was introduced, Scotland’s Deputy Chief Vet Officer Jesus Gallego said: “While the risk to public health is very low, we are currently experiencing a heightened risk of an incursion from this virus and so it is vital that appropriate precautions are taken to protect poultry and other captive birds from infection.
“The introduction of this zone is a preventative measure, aimed at minimising the effect that this, often devastating virus, can have on Scottish kept birds”.
