AVIAN FLU

Since November 2024, we've had seven outbreaks of Avian Influenza in East Riding. The image below shows the current active case in our area. You can find more details on these cases here. 

Currently, all of East Riding is in a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). This means all bird keepers must enhance biosecurity measures and house their birds to protect them from bird flu. This applies to pet birds, commercial flocks, and backyard birds. These measures are crucial to prevent further outbreaks. Additional measures are required within the disease control zones around the outbreaks. You can use the DEFRA Avian Influenza Interactive Map to check if a location is within a control zone.

Since October 1, 2024, everyone in Great Britain who keeps:

• Any number of poultry (whether as pets or a hobby)

• Captive birds not kept fully housed in a dwelling (or another indoor structure) with no access to open air must register their details with the Animal and Plant Health Agency. You can register here. If you have access to noticeboards, please display the attached poster.

• This measure has allowed a revised approach to foot patrols. Instead of visiting or contacting every premises within the declared zone, the Council will use a media campaign to raise awareness of the restrictions and the need to register if any bird keepers have not already done so. If you have a social media account, please promote the Facebook message on the outbreak. https://www.facebook.com/eastridingcouncil/posts/pfbid02sgthPs8DcxJz5moTogpJyo517mX6MXfSoFoBVRChEMyq4aMPCGuwYnBc4CPsDhfql

The Council will support the national plan by placing highway signs at the 10km zone boundary to inform people they are entering an area with animal disease restrictions. Posters will be put up within the 3km zone to inform bird keepers of the requirements, and Council Animal Health Officers will have a presence in the area to monitor compliance. 

• For your information, Avian Influenza primarily affects birds. The UK Health Security Agency states that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency assures that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk. Properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat. More information is available on the Government's website.

The national contingency plan involves APHA humanely culling affected poultry on infected premises. No healthy birds are culled, but restrictions are placed on poultry and captive bird keepers in the control zones.

Attached is the declaration with all requirements for this zone. In brief, for those in the 3km protection zone:

• Keep poultry and other captive birds housed.
• Do not move poultry, other captive birds, or mammals to or from premises where birds are kept, except under licence.
• Record individuals visiting premises where birds are kept.
• Ensure appropriate biosecurity measures are in place.

There is a lot of further information on the Government's website: Bird Flu: Avian Influenza Latest Situation in England.

The restrictions around outbreaks are likely to remain for at least the next 6 weeks, but the Regional Prevention Zone is likely to remain in place until the risk of new cases has reduced, which may be several months.

Due to the current frequency of new cases, we will post updates on social media and the ERYC corporate website instead of sending frequent emails.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Wold Newton Parish Council secured a grant to have some picnic benches installed at the Pitfield for the community to enjoy.  The Committee hope you will make use of them. Enjoy the view!!!  Many thanks to the volunteers from the Committee who assisted with the ground preparation and installation of them it is very much appreciated.

Always remembering Nicola Stephenson - Clerk to the Parish Council for many years - memorial at the Pitfield.