Bird flu housing order extended to more counties

An order which requires poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors to prevent the spread of bird flu has been extended to further parts of the Midlands and northern England.

The housing measures were in response to an increased findings of avian influenza cases across England and "heightened risk levels," the government said.

The order, which also includes pet birds and commercial flocks, has been expanded to cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.

It comes into force in the region from midnight on 16 February and applied to all bird keepers, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

It was already in force for parts of Yorkshire, eastern England and Shropshire.

Bird gatherings across the UK were now also restricted and must not take place, a spokesperson added.

UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss reminded bird keepers to continue to remain vigilant to any signs of the disease.

She added any suspected disease should be reported to the government's Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which applies to all bird keepers, including those who have pets or commercial flocks, was in place until further notice, a Defra spokesperson added.

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