07/10/2024
It is bird flu season approaching and that brings its own concerns.
The virus is carried into the country by wildfowl migrating here from Northern Europe and Asia - it is naturally occurring.
The present forms of the virus are very pathogenic (easily spread) and nearly always fatal.
The best form of initial defence is by avoiding contact between captive birds and wild birds - both physical contact and contact with droppings. Solid roofed aviaries are a massive help with this. Weathering birds under a roof should also be considered. Netting over captive birds is not always desirable as it also gives wild birds a place to perch and the defecate on the captive birds.
Added to that is the new requirement by DEFRA to register the keeping of all birds who have access to the outdoors.
I realise this is all pretty scary. So this info may help. It's what we do at the National Centre for Birds of Prey.
You need a set of written protocols and you must record them being followed. This is to enable you to demonstrate good biosecurity in the event of an outbreak. If you can show that your biosecurity is likely to have prevented transmission of the virus either on or off your site or elsewhere within your site - then the outcome of an outbreak is likely to be more satisfactory
Then do a spreadsheet the same as on my example. The idea of this is to illustrate that these birds have both a conservation value, a personal value, a value to the zoo (if that's what you are), a value to the UK flock and a financial value. If you are ZIMS user you can download an excel stock list and modify it.
Footbaths are critical. DEFRA approved disinfectant must be used in the appropriate strength. Have 2 footpaths at the entry point to every aviary (or block of aviaries). The first footpath is to wash footwear and the second is to disinfect. Disinfectants lose their potency in the presence of organic matter - hence the washing.
Contiguous culls do not appear to form part of government policy at present. You'll have seen items on the news regarding chickens being culled - however they are on the farm where there has an outbreak, not on neighbouring farms and not on farms within an outbreak zone. I find it hard to believe that CITES species would ever be culled if not infected - these protocols help get that message across to those at the "sharp end"
I understand that a numberl of the outbreaks in captive birds have been caused by people spreading the virus through poor bio security - this is why so many outbreaks are in clusters. This can be avoided!
Good luck and happy hawking
