04/12/2025
❗ Increased risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in south west Scotland ❗
As a result of an increase in detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in wild birds in south west Scotland, Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer is urging poultry keepers in that area to step up their efforts to prevent incursion from HPAI.
The Scottish Government introduced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) on 26 January this year, requiring all bird keepers – including those who keep pet birds - to apply strict biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread from wild birds or any other source. Good biosecurity is by far the most effective way for keepers to protect their flocks from HPAI incursion, and the measures in the AIPZ are a legal requirement. It is also a legal requirement for keepers to report suspicion of disease to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office.
Advice to Keepers:
Biosecurity:
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is currently in place across Scotland. This zone means strict biosecurity measures are mandatory for all bird keepers - including those who keep pet birds - to help prevent the spread from wild birds or any other source. These include the requirement to:
➡ cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry or other captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
➡ reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and other captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective rodent control
➡ thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
➡ keep government approved fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points – make sure that footwear is cleaned thoroughly before disinfection. Alternatively, put on poultry-house dedicated footwear on entry to the poultry house.
➡ minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and other captive birds with wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
Wild birds:
In Great Britain, if you find at the same place at the same time:
• a single dead bird of prey, swan, goose, duck or gull
• or five or more dead wild birds of any other species
you should report them to the GB national telephone helpline administered by Defra on behalf of the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government: 03459 33 55 77.
Registration of kept birds:
Anyone who keeps birds, even a single bird, must register on the Scottish Kept Bird Register (SKBR). This is a legal requirement. This applies to anyone who keeps birds (with exceptions), as well as wild bird rehabilitation centres and zoos.
More information about avian influenza, including biosecurity guidance, is available at
www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza.
X@ScotGovRural/Twitter
Facebook.com/ScotGovRural
and
Animal and Plant Health Agency – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Scottish Government advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of avian influenza.
