Scottish farmer heartbroken after losing flock to avian flu
© Tim Scrivener
Scottish farmer Amy Geddes has been left heartbroken after losing her backyard flock of hens, ducks and guinea fowl due to an outbreak of avian influenza.
Captive birds that tested positive for the high pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus at her Arbroath farm, Angus, Scotland, have been humanely culled.
To limit any further spread of the disease, the remaining birds are being humanely culled, and 3km and 10km temporary control zones has been set up around the affected premises.
See also: Q&A: Guidance on avian flu with England’s chief vet
Within these zones, a range of different controls are now in place. These include restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure.
In a statement released through NFU Scotland, fourth-generation farmer Ms Geddes said: “To suddenly lose our pet flock was very difficult and heartbreaking, especially for the kids.
“I want to thank the vets and animal health team at Animal and Plant Health Agency [Apha] for the quick and professional manner in which they responded when our own vet contacted them on Monday (1 November).”
Wild bird infection likely
Ms Geddes continued: “The speed with which our flock quickly succumbed to the disease, most likely brought in by wild birds, shows how devastating any such outbreak can be, not just for backyard keepers like me, but particularly for commercial poultrykeepers.
“I would urge any poultrykeeper, large or small, to fully comply with biosecurity measures to protect their birds and the wider Scottish poultry industry.
“It is essential everyone remains as vigilant as possible and reports any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity to their own vet or directly to Apha.”
Ms Geddes has asked the press to respect her family’s privacy by not visiting the premises.
Prevention zone
Following a number of detections of avian flu in wild birds, the chief veterinary officers (CVOs) from England, Scotland and Wales declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the whole of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
From 5pm on Wednesday 3 November, it became a legal requirement for all birdkeepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks. Find guidance of the measures on the government website.
Scotland’s CVO, Sheila Voas, said: “We are conducting further tests to establish the pathogenicity of avian influenza H5N1 in a flock of birds in the Angus constituency.
“We have already made clear that all birdkeepers – whether major businesses or small keepers with just a few birds – must ensure that their biosecurity is up to scratch to protect their birds from disease.
“Keepers who are concerned about the health or welfare of their flock should seek veterinary advice immediately.”
Poultrykeepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to Defra’s national dead wild bird helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (select option 7), and keepers should report suspicion of disease to Apha on 03000 200 301.