A case of bird flu has been confirmed at a premises near Kington, Herefordshire, prompting the declaration of disease control zones that extend into Powys, Powys County Council has announced.

The case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) has led to the creation of 3km and 10km disease control zones around the affected premises by Defra.

The 3km protection zone and the 10km surveillance zone, which are part of the measures set by Defra and the Welsh Government, encroach into Powys to help limit the spread of the virus.

Bird movements and gatherings are restricted within these zones, and all premises with birds must be registered. Powys County Council’s Animal Health Team is urging bird owners within the 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone to adhere to the necessary biosecurity measures outlined in the Declaratory Order.

For bird owners outside these zones, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in place across Wales. This means that all bird keepers, whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks, or backyard birds, must continue to follow mandatory biosecurity measures and complete the biosecurity self-assessment checklist.

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease. It affects the respiratory, digestive or nervous system of many species of birds.

Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, said: “It is vital keepers of birds remain vigilant and ensure they have the very highest levels of biosecurity in place.

“It is also important people do not touch or pick up any sick or dead birds to avoid spreading the virus.

“Public health advice remains that the risk to human health from the virus is very low and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.”

Responsibilities of people who keep birds:

• All keepers of kept birds should be vigilant for signs of the disease such as increased mortality, respiratory distress and drops in food or water intake, or egg production.

• Consult your veterinary surgeon in the first instance if your birds are unwell.

• If you or your vet suspect that avian influenza could be causing illness in your birds, you must, by law, report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. This will trigger a disease investigation by APHA vets.

Strict biosecurity measures must be enforced to prevent contamination from wild birds, including monitoring materials, equipment, vehicles, and clothing that may come into contact with infected areas.

In the event of finding dead wild birds, especially waterfowl or birds of prey, the Defra helpline should be contacted immediately on 03459 33 55 77.

For the latest updates on Avian influenza (bird flu) visit a dedicated page on the Welsh Government website, which can be found at: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu-latest-update

Although avian influenza is a disease of birds, in rare cases humans can become infected. Some strains of avian influenza can spread easily and quickly between birds and have a high death rate.

The risk of HPAI virus (bird flu) increases during the winter.