Bird flu outbreak

[DOVEScot]

Anybody heard if it will effect Blackpool yet?

[darkknight]

FROM THE RPRA

 

AI OUTBREAK IN DORSET. THURSDAY 10TH JANUARY 1530 HRS

AN H5N1 AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK HAS BEEN REPORTED IN DORSET. DEFRA HAS NOT YET REPORTED WHETHER THERE WILL BE ANY RESTRICTIONS ETC IMPOSED. THEREFORE WE DO NOT AS YET KNOW THE STATUS OF RACING PIGEONS AT BLACKPOOL. FROM PREVIOUS OUTBREAKS GATHERINGS ARE NOT PERMITTED WHICH MAY MEAN THE SHOW PIGEONS CANNOT ATTEND BUT SALES FROM SINGLES SOURCES AT AUCTIONS SUCH AS CLEARANCE SALES FROM ONE LOFT HAVE IN THE PAST BEEN ACCEPTABLE.

 

WE WILL CLARIFY THE SITUATION WITH DEFRA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT THE BLACKPOOL WINTERGARDENS SHOW WILL GO ON WITH OR WITHOUT PIGEONS

 

PETER BRYANT

[frank-123]

Avian Influenza H5N1 confirmed in Dorset

Defra has today confirmed Avian Influenza in three dead wild mute swans in the Chesil Beach area in Dorset, following positive test results from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1. These birds were found and tested following our routine surveillance programme.

 

A Wild Bird Control Area and Monitoring Area are being established around the premises, encompassing Chesil Beach and Portland Bill, and the shape of these is based on expert ornithological advice.

 

Inside these areas bird keepers are required to house their birds or otherwise isolate them from contact with wild birds, bird movements will be restricted, and bird gatherings are banned. Defra is also working closely with ornithological and other experts to consider what wider measures may be needed. Further details can be found on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/avianflu

 

No disease has been found in domestic birds, and a programme of surveillance is being carried out in the local wild bird population. There will be no culling of wild birds because such action may disperse birds further and would not aid control.  

 

Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, Fred Landeg said:

 

“While this is obviously unwelcome news, we have always said that Britain is at a constant low level of risk of introduction of  Avian Influenza. Our message to all bird keepers, particularly those in the area, is that they must be vigilant, report any signs of disease immediately, and practice the highest levels of biosecurity.”

 

A full epidemiological investigation is underway.  

 

All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register are being notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.

 

 

[frank-123]

i am the new bruno ;D

comeback bruno your time is up

[Roland]

Hi Bart ... some mantle your taking on there matey

I quite liked his posts, and informative help. Indeed it's a shame as far as I'm concerned he is no longer posting... why, or the in's and out's I don't know ... nor be pained to find out. But he will be missed and make no mistake about that!

[DOVEScot]

Hi Bart ... some mantle your taking on there matey

I quite liked his posts, and informative help. Indeed it's a shame as far as I'm concerned he is no longer posting... why, or the in's and out's I don't know ... nor be pained to find out. But he will be missed and make no mistake about that!

 

What has that got to do withe the birdflu affecting Blackpool :-/

[Guest TAMMY_1]

 

What has that got to do withe the birdflu affecting Blackpool :-/

 

about the same as this post of yours has

[frank-123]

if your not happy report it to the webmaster

 

sorry for going off topic

[DOVEScot]

if your not happy report it to the webmaster

 

sorry for going off topic

 

Not in the habit of reporting anyting to Webmaster, not going to start now

[frank-123]

ok thanks for not getting me the birch

[DOVEScot]

ok thanks for not getting me the birch

 

Obviously not a public school boy from Blckpool;D

[jimmy white]

Hi Bart ... some mantle your taking on there matey

I quite liked his posts, and informative help. Indeed it's a shame as far as I'm concerned he is no longer posting... why, or the in's and out's I don't know ... nor be pained to find out. But he will be missed and make no mistake about that!

 

i agree with this post , im sure bart will agree , bruno kept us up to date with many things inc. avian flu,,, and fact not rumour  [not saying your excellent post is rumour bart ] but bruno put paid to most of the past silly rumours concerning avian flu hence kept us in touch with the latest facts .....the hours he spent for pb in seeking the latest info, were incredable

[darkknight]

here is some info from the defra web site this is a map of the control area

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/pdf/map-dorset080110.pdf

 

 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/movements/index.htm

 

Avian influenza (bird flu): Latest situation

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm

 

[Guest IB]

There is an AI outbreak amongst wild birds (swans) in Corwall and other than inside the Control Zone and Monitoring Zone (3km and 10km radii of Diss, Corwall) there is no restriction on pigeons at all. There aren’t any farms affected by AI either.

 

Within Zones, pigeons should be held in their lofts till restrictions are lifted, usually 21 and 30 day periods. You can let them out only if you can guarantee they will not come into contact with wild birds, but you will be doing yourself and your neighbours no favours given the media attention and bad publicity free flying pigeons may attract, so best keep them in.

 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm

 

 

Fanciers within the Control Zone 3km, are prohibited from taking birds to Blackpool or anywhere else for that matter, nor will they be able to take birds back into the Zone.

 

Outside Control Zone, but inside Monitoring Zone 10km, fanciers intending taking birds to  Blackpool are allowed to do so, but only under Special License. You are also allowed to take birds back from Blackpool into Monitoring Zone without restriction. See P7.

 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/pdf/wildbird-movementcontrols.pdf

 

[REDCHEQHEN]

Looks like things have changed since last November :

 

Questions and answers from DEFRA site

 

Are bird gatherings allowed?

A. Bird gatherings are permitted, except in the Control Area and Monitoring Area established in January 2008.

 

Is international pigeon racing allowed?

A. Yes. International racing is now permitted from France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Channel Islands although the season has currently ended.. Domestic racing is also still currently permitted except in the Control Area and Monitoring Area.

 

What is a bird gathering?

A. A ‘ bird gathering’ for the purposes of the general licence means the arrangement by a person of the collecting together of poultry or other captive birds from different epidemiological groups at one location. These are generally falconry displays, fairs, markets, shows, exhibitions and pigeon races. An event involving a single bird or birds which are normally kept together does not pose an increased risk of disease spread so is not classed as a gathering.

 

What is a general licence?

A. Event organisers do not have to apply for a specific licence but must read the conditions in a general licence. These conditions are also available on request form local Animal Health Offices. The main licence requirements are:

Anyone holding a bird gathering has to advise their local AHDO that the event is taking place and adhere to strict biosecurity practice.

A nominated person must be designated as the event organiser and a person responsible for keeping the records set out in the conditions.

There are specific requirements in the licence conditions, such as cleansing and disinfecting and record keeping, relating to bird sales, pigeon races and falconry.

 

Why is there a general licence?

A. Regulation 6(1) of The Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006 bans bird gatherings unless under licence. Defra has assessed the risk as being sufficiently low that bird gatherings can now take place under general licence.

 

Is the general licensing system likely to change?

A. We keep the general licence under close review in the light of the disease situation and the risk assessment of disease entering the UK. Should the risk increase further or becomes uncertain, we would consider revoking the general licence again which would effectively ban all bird gatherings, as we did following the recent outbreak in Suffolk.

 

[korhil]

if i understand the defra site ok? blackpool can go ahead as it is out side the zone? it is the fanciers in the zones , dorset?, that cant move birds?

[Guest IB]

korhill says 'if i understand the defra site ok? blackpool can go ahead as it is out side the zone? it is the fanciers in the zones , dorset?, that cant move birds?'

 

Yes, according to their website, only those fanciers within 3km of the outbreak can't move their birds, and those in 3km - 10km zone can do so but only under special license. All fanciers within both zones can still visit the Blackpool show if they want.