Posted by Poultry World editor, Richard Allison
The latest case of the low pathogenic H7N2 avian flu on a farm near St Helens, Lancashire, highlights the need for vigilance by poultry keepers when buying birds at markets.
Government vets have confirmed that the infected birds were purchased from the same market on the same day (7 May) as birds involved in the Welsh outbreak in May.
While the poultry industry breathes a sigh of relief that it's the low pathogenic virus, just image if it was the high pathogenic H5N1 strain. The virus would have spread over north Wales and northern England.
I believe it shows the need for high biosecurity and disease monitoring for hobby flocks, as well as the large commercial flocks. It's not just a disease of commercial flocks. Good practice would include isolating birds for a minimum period and only buying them from a reputable market or rearer.
I also believe it reinforces the weakness of DEFRA's Great Britain Poultry Register. It should include all flocks. Currently it is only compulsory for keepers with 50 birds or more to register. But as the latest outbreak shows, small flocks are also on the front line.
For more on avian flu, see the FWi special report.