British government declares English territory “Avian Influenza Prevention Zone”

Three isolated and unrelated cases of avian influenza (H5N8 strain) were recorded in England. The authorities were alerted and took quick actions to ensure that the outbreak was controlled. Due to the risks of spreading Avian Influenza (AI), the Chief Veterinarian of the United Kingdom declared the territory of England "National Zone for the Prevention of AI" (AIPZ). This legal requirement obliges any and all poultry farms irrespective of species and sizes to adopt strict biosafety measures. Further, farms with more than 500 birds should restrict access by non-essential people to their facilities, workers will need to change clothes and shoes before entering the bird enclosures and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Smaller breeders must also adopt security measures and confine their birds - which can cause a problem for free-range poultry farmers, who, when confirming the birds, lose the 'free-range' seal.