Is avian flu heading into Badenoch and Strathspey?
With Avian flu confirmed by the Scottish Government in premises south of Inverness - and restrictions now in effect to prevent the further spread of the disease - news comes from England of a strain in sheep being detected.
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected at Tigh na Drochaid, Daviot and a three km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone is now in place.
Meanwhile in England the discovery of a strain of avian influenza in a sheep for the first time ‘should be a reminder to sheep keepers of the importance of biosecurity on holdings with with poultry’, said a spokesperson for the National Sheep Association.
But NSA stressed that the case is confined to one small holding and is not a food security risk.
“This is not a threat to food safety of consumers and it’s very important to make that clear,” said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker.
“What this shows though is the importance of biosecurity and an understanding of what it means. In the sheep industry we often think the term just refers to buying in stock, but in this instance sheep and poultry have mixed on the same farm, resulting in the transmission of avian influenza.”
A Defra spokesperson said: “While this is the first time avian influenza virus has been detected in sheep, it is not the first time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries.
“There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation’s livestock population.”In the Highlands, as the disease threatens to arrive in Badenoch and Strathspey, local residents are being urged to check whether their premises sit within these zones through an interactive map and to protect their birds and take steps to ensure the infection does not spread.
Key measures within the protection zone include strict record-keeping requirements for all premises housing poultry or captive birds, including visitor logs and detailed records of bird movements, health, and egg production.
All poultry and other captive birds must be housed or kept isolated to prevent contact with wild birds and other poultry.
Check out the government website here
