All poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors, says UK govt amid rise in avian flu cases
Avian flu
On Monday, the United Kingdom government in a statement said, all poultry and captive birds in England starting November 7 are legally required to be kept indoors. This comes as the country is working to tackle the largest-ever outbreak of avian flu with at least 200 cases witnessed in the UK over the past 12 months.
“We are now facing, this year, the largest ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing a rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England,” said Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss in the statement. She addedthat the risk of kept birds being exposed to this disease is very high making it “necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice.”
ALSO WATCH:Gravitas: Growing concern over bird flu cases in Europe, U.K.
These restrictions add to the ones in place in eastern England, covering Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex. Furthermore, bird keepers will reportedly be required to follow strict biosecurity measures including disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles and keeping mortality records, indicated media reports. However, the statement also said that the risk to public health remains low.
ALSO READ:Bird flu crisis in Europe termed worst ever
So far, millions of wild birds have been killed due to the current outbreak as well as culled by authorities across Europe in a bid to contain the virus. Till now these restrictions only apply to England, while other parts of the UK including, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have sent their own health policies.
)
US Supreme Court backs Trump administration's use of SAVE database to check voter citizenship
)
Beijing to Washington! Ivanka Trump makes a style statement in Chinese designer Guo Pei for President Xi Jinping’s White House welcome
)
Heart of the Beast review: Brad Pitt leads a gripping tale of survival and loyalty
)
Outrage erupts after 3-year-old is married to 60-year-old man in Pakistan, link to her sister's murder being probed
)
Pakistan deploys over 20,000 security personnel as PTI vows march for Imran Khan's release
)
‘Not just a local tragedy’: Nepal PM Shah warns UN of growing climate threat, says Nepal floods were 'a warning to the world'
)
Asian Games: Shooting spree continues as India win silver in women’s 50m rifle 3P team event
)
India-New Zealand FTA is ‘an expression of trust’, NZ High Commissioner Patrick John Rata says
)
OpenAI AI Agents hacked 4 websites before Hugging Face, researchers reveal
)
Pentagon quietly adds 37 wounded troops to Iran war tally without explaining when or how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (September 25, 2026): Don’t Be Shy, Hunkkaar: The Roar, Mango Pachcha- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Yemen's war escalates: Saudi-backed leader calls for general mobilisation against the Houthis
)
‘Attack on Mecca a red line for Pakistan’: Shehbaz Sharif warns Houthis at UN
)
Tesla is preparing something big for Optimus: new Gen 3 models surface in app
)
Bias or safety concerns? Bengaluru CEO says firm will not hire men from UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP. Here's why
)
Nigeria Navy moves to boost oil security, tackle crude theft and infrastructure threats
)
Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot raises deteriorating situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in right of reply at UN
)
Scientists detect first radio signals directly from faraway planet
)
‘It is all possible’: Putin weighs next steps on Ukraine talks, rules out Europe conflict
)
10,000 gather in support of 87-year-old forcefully evicted from home of 71 years
)
Trump rejects Iran's 7-day ceasefire proposal as US weighs renewed bombing after midterms: Report
)
Red Sea crisis: Houthis promise not to target European ships; UNSC condemns Saudi attacks
)
Gaza's war turned environmental damage into second crisis
)
Trump-Xi summit wrap: Big pageantry, Iran talks, few major developments and more meetings planned
)
'Making history': Xi Jinping praises Trump as US-China leaders dine at White House
)
'We do not wish to continue. It's America that must choose': Iran president Pezeshkian calls on US to end war
)
India's UN Envoy slams Pakistan: 'They claim security by day, terrorism by night'
)
Bollywood mourns Mushtaq Khan: Sunny Deol, Rajpal Yadav and others pay tribute
)
Myanmar training camp case: US national, 6 Ukrainians allowed to meet their families abroad
)
'FIRST LOOK from inside Noah’s Ark': Researchers share video from inside mysterious mound in Turkey
)
Cindy Crawford’s son Presley Gerber cremated as death probe continues
)
WATCH | As Shehbaz Sharif claims Pakistan’s ‘victory’ during 2025 conflict, Indian diplomat R Srinivas laughs at UN
)
'A terrorist country is asking me that question?': Jaishankar hits back at Pakistani journalist at UN; flags attacks on commercial shipping
)
Army chief reviews operational preparedness along LoC, visits mega eye camp in Tangdhar
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Absolutely savage, sickening’: Zelensky slams Russia as daytime strikes kill 5 in Kyiv
)
US court backs Pentagon's decision to exclude Anthropic over Claude AI restrictions
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.