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While humans deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, the Welsh Government has raised the warning level for avian flu to “medium”. Update 09/11/2020: The alert level has subsequently been increased to “high”.
The Chief Veterinary Offices of the UK’s nations agreed to raise the warning level because of confirmed cases in swans in the Netherlands. There are fears that birds migrating westwards for the winter will carry avian flu with them.
The measures recommended to poultry farmers and other bird keepers include:
- Keeping areas (where birds are kept) clean, controlling rodents and regularly disinfecting surfaces and footwear.
- Protecting feed and water from wild birds and limiting access to outdoor water sources which may be used by wild birds.
- Avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry species.
The UK was declared avian flu-free in 2017 and has maintained that status ever since barring a brief outbreak at the end of 2019, which was brought under control.
