February 17, 2021                         

14,000 game birds to be culled in Leven, Scotland after second bird flu outbreak

The Scottish government is set to cull 14,000 game birds to be culled in Leven, Fife after the flock tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu, the BBC reported.

A 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone has been established to prevent the spread of the virus. Movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter, and manure will be restricted.

This is the second outbreak in Scotland after highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu was detected among free-range chickens on a poultry farm in Sanday, Orkney in December. 39 birds died and the remaining 11 birds were culled.

Sheila Voas, Scotland's chief veterinary officer, said bird keepers must improve biosecurity and protect their birds from disease, adding that keepers should seek veterinary advice if they are concerned about their flock's the health or welfare.

Bird keepers and poultry producers have been reminded to comply with a December 14 order to keep birds separate from wild birds and adhere to biosecurity procedures.

- BBC