A case of Avian Influenza has been identified in domestic and wild birds in the Chirk area of Wrexham.
A Protection Zone, Surveillance Zone and Restricted Zone has been put in place around the small infected poultry premises to limit the risk of disease spread. Details of the measures that apply within these zones can be found in the Declaration.
Public Protection Officers are on the ground providing advice and guidance to residents in the area and identifying any unknown poultry keepers?
Residents who keep birds are advised to contact the DEFRA helpline if they need advice – 03459 33 55 77.
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The Control Zones extend from Wrexham into Shropshire and we’re working together to keep residents up to date and to control the spread of the infection.
The risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked eggs and poultry are safe to eat.
Commercial poultry keepers in the area have been informed and will be putting in place increased biosecurity measures to protect their birds.
Members of the public who have pet birds, either kept indoors or outdoors should follow the same basic guidance to keep their birds safe:
- Avoid contact between your pet birds and wild birds
- Avoid feeding wild birds and make sure your pet bird’s food is out of the way of wild birds.
- Always clean up after dealing with your birds, especially wash your hands
- Do not bring wild bird droppings into your home through dirty clothes and shoes
- Ensure that any new bird comes from a reputable source
My bird is sick what should I do?
If you are concerned about the health of your pet please seek advice from your vet.
For more information about bird flu and biosecurity, visit the Welsh Government website at https://gov.wales/avian-influenza or the Defra website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu or phone 03459 33 55 77 for the Defra Helpline.
What do I do if I find a dead bird?
Please don’t pick it up or touch any sick or dead birds. You should contact the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 to report it.
Some birds may be collected for disease surveillance purposes. Not all birds will be collected and responsibility for disposal of dead birds rests with the landowner.
For further information about the careful disposal of dead birds disposal please take a look at the Welsh Government Website.
If you need to check if you’re in the any of the affected zones there’s an interactive map that you can use.
You can keep up to date with Avian Flu on the Welsh Government Website.
If you do not keep birds then you do not need to take any action, however, you can still help us by reporting dead wild birds.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7).
