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Avian flu has been confirmed in a flock of free-range chickens on a farm on a Scottish island.
The Scottish government said the remaining birds at the Sanday facility in Orkney have been humanely euthanized and a six-mile (10 km) temporary control zone has been established.
There are a variety of different controls in the area, including restrictions on the movement of birds, carcasses, eggs, sand, and manure used for birds, and restrictions on the collection of birds.
Officials said appropriate restrictions had been placed on the facilities and any identified contact establishments to limit the spread of the disease, H5N8 avian influenza, after birds in a flock of free-range laying hens tested positive.
Scotland’s Veterinary Director, Sheila Voas, said: “This case of H5N8 in a flock of birds in Sanday confirms that avian influenza is present in Scotland.
“We have already made it clear that all poultry farmers, whether they are large companies or small breeders with few birds, must ensure that their biosecurity is up to par to protect their birds from disease and avoid any contact between their birds and the birds. wild birds.
“Breeders who are concerned about the health or welfare of their flock should seek veterinary advice immediately. Your private veterinarian or your local Animal and Plant Health Agency office will also be able to provide practical advice on how to keep your birds safe from infection.
“Any dead wild swan, goose, duck or gull, hawk or other raptor or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location must be reported to Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) dead wild bird help line.
“The public health advice is that the risk to human health from the virus is very low and food standards bodies warn that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk to UK consumers and does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs “.
The Scottish government said that in light of the evidence from the mainland and the high number of findings among wild bird populations in England, the risk of incursion from avian influenza has increased to very high for wild birds, medium for birds. poultry with high biosecurity and high for wild birds. poultry with little biosecurity.
Scotland’s Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment Mairi Gougeon said: “With recent confirmations of disease in wild and captive birds in the UK, it is not unexpected that avian influenza is found in birds here in Scotland.
“We ask that the public remain vigilant and report any findings of dead wild birds.”
