Due to continued outbreaks of avian influenza ('bird flu') in the UK, the States Veterinary Officers would like to encourage all pet/commercial poultry keepers to register with them so that they can alert keepers of any disease outbreaks or any other health or welfare concerns that may arise.
Avian influenza is a viral infection of domestic poultry and other wild birds, such as migrating waterfowl. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.
The virus is transmitted between individual birds by eating or drinking contaminated feed/water or inhalation of the virus. It can also be spread through the introduction of diseased birds to the flock or poor biosecurity of poultry keepers, such as a lack of cleaning and disinfection and poor pest control.
It is a notifiable animal disease, meaning that if you suspect any signs of avian influenza in poultry or wild birds, you must contact the States Veterinary Officers (email: [email protected], tel: 01481 711161).
More information on how poultry keepers can keep their poultry safe and what symptoms to look out for can be found here https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=135242&p=0 .
To be notified by the States Veterinary Officers in the event of disease outbreaks or other health and welfare concerns which may affect poultry, keepers can register by emailing [email protected] or calling 235740 and providing the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Contact details (phone number, email address)
- Type of birds kept
- Number of birds kept
- Location of poultry are located (if different to home address)
Details on how this data will be processed can be found here https://gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=131032&p=0 .
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager “We have been on high alert for Avian Flu at the GSPCA for some weeks now as there have been a number of cases across the UK and with the States Vets advice.”
“It is great that the States Vets are putting a list together so they can quickly notify bird owners of any issues or concerns.”
“On the 23rd November we issued information and advice and we are sharing this again to remind bird owners of the importance of biosecurity and care of their birds.”
Here is the information shared in November 2020 from the GSPCA -
The GSPCA are urging bird owners to protect their pets.
With growing numbers of cases of H5N8 avian influenza throughout the UK their Animal & Plant Department Agency have been sending out weekly notifications of new cases in both wild and domestic birds with the most recent case today in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Recently the States of Guernsey States Vets published this information on their facebook page -
‘The UK have reported outbreaks of Avian Influenza and therefore the whole of England has been declared as an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.
Upcoming poultry shows have been cancelled locally as a result of this and we echo the advice from the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer that bird keepers must:
- 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 your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
- Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;
- Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
- Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas.
Further guidance is available from the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu ’
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Sadly it seems each year at this time outbreaks of avian flu are detected and at the GSPCA we are ensuring we continue with heightened bio-security due to the large numbers of birds we help and care for.”
“It is important that we all take extra precautions in the Channel Islands to ensure our pet and farm birds are as safe as possible from bird flu.”
"We all are fully aware of the importance of bio-security due to the challenges we all face with Covid-19 and especially here at the GSPCA where we have to care for animals that can arrive with zoonotic diseases."
“We will of course update our website with any further alerts and the links we have online take your to the latest information available.”
Poultry keepers and members of the public with concerns should contact the States Veterinary Officer by calling 01481 257261 email [email protected]
Further avian influenza advice, including how to spot the disease, is available:-
In England at www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
In Scotland at www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza
In Wales at http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/disease/avianflu/?lang=en
In Guernsey at https://www.gov.gg/article/162975/Search-Whole-Site?q=avian&size=10#top
Guernsey States Vet facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/StatesVet
In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have been outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in line with their advice or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
The GSPCA continues with all essential services and we plane to phase other services back into operation and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-take-cautious-approach-returning-new-normal-%E2%80%93-gspca-plan-our-services-and-volunteers-retu
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
During these difficult times help us help animals in need. From donating to Sponsoring a Pen, Buying a Brick for the much needed Wildlife Hospital to our Amazon and main page Wish List, holding a mufti day to a sponsored Christmas dip, here are some of the ways you could help give animals joy.
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