Avian Influenza

Published: 31 January 2022

Avian Influenza

As you may be aware, the UK is facing its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 70 cases confirmed across the country since the start of November. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have declared an avian influenza prevention zone across Great Britain.

Cheshire East Council is taking immediate measures to inform and advise local residents, partners and landowners about avian influenza outbreaks and what to look out for following a confirmed case on a commercial poultry farm in Warmingham (in Brereton Rural Ward). This site has now been confirmed by the Animal, Plant and Health Agency as having the HN51 strain.

As a result, a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the outbreak. 

The Protection Zones require foot patrols around local premises by animal health officers and non-movement of birds within or out of the zone. They do not restrict the movement of people.

Full details of measures, a map of the affected area, restrictions and activities for each area are available here: Declaration of a Protection Zone and a Surveillance Zone (H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) – near Crewe, Cheshire East, Cheshire