Kept birds must stay inside to halt spread of flu

Further measures to control the outbreak of bird flu are to be introduced.

From Monday, keepers in Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyneside must keep their birds inside and continue to follow strict biosecurity rules.

The move is in response to increased cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and new cases in poultry and kept birds, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

The rules are an extension of housing measures already in place across parts of Yorkshire, North West England and Northern Ireland.

The rules apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few in a backyard flock, Defra said.

A housing order requires the strictest levels of biosecurity measures to reduce contact with wild birds, which can spread bird flu.

Bird flu cases were recently confirmed in Burnopfield, Lazonby in Cumbria and in dead swans found in a park in Chester-le-Street.

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will also be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review, Defra added.

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