Animal health

Important Bird Flu update

Ban on bird gatherings in England, Wales and Scotland (Monday 10th Feb 2025) In response to the number of cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in kept and wild birds, gatherings of poultry will be banned in England, Wales and Scotland from noon on Monday 10th February 2025. This includes ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl.

The general licence for poultry gatherings has been revoked. Gatherings of other captive birds will continue to be permitted, providing all the requirements of the captive bird gathering general licence are met, APHA are notified of the gathering at least 7 days before the event and it is not in a disease control zone

Due to an increase in Bird Flu cases, DEFRA declared a nationwide prevention zone starting on Monday 27 January 2025.

An Avian Prevention Zone has been declared across the whole of the UK demanding enhanced biosecurity for all bird keepers, domestic or commercial. In view of these developments, Bird keepers are instructed by Sunderland Regulatory Services to implement responsible and sensible biosecurity procedures as follows:

• Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds)
• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy
• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures
• Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas
• Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry
• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources
• Feed and water the birds owned by the keeper in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds

We also urge that keepers of birds in Sunderland to contact our Trading Standards service by calling 0191 520 5550, or email: public.health@sunderland.gov.uk to report the amount and type of birds they own and where the birds are kept.

In addition, dead wild bird carcasses found in Sunderland have been tested and found to be the result of Bird Flu. Wild birds are susceptible to a range of diseases and injuries and not all dead birds will have been infected with avian influenza. However, our general advice to the general public is to not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find.

Members of the public and land managers are advised to check the current government guidance on reporting of dead wild birds and latest updates. If the finding meets the threshold for reporting, they should contact the Defra Helpline (03459 33 55 77) to report the dead wild birds, unless it is clear that the cause of death is trauma.