June 30, 2025

Protection zones established in Wales, UK, following bird flu cases

Protection zones have been put in place in two areas of Wales, the United Kingdom, where there are confirmed cases of bird flu.

Cases have been confirmed at a poultry small-holding of 120 hens near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on June 23 and at a commercial game bird premises near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham, on June 24.

A 3 km (1.9 miles) protection zone and 10 km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone were in place around each of the infected premises, the Welsh government said. It added the Pembrokeshire case was the first in a poultry flock in Wales since April 2023.

Protection zones mean stricter measures are in force in the area to contain the disease, while in the wider surveillance zones some restrictions may apply to movement.

The Welsh government said the occupiers of the affected premises must record all movement of people, poultry or other captive birds and their eggs in and out of the zones.

Other steps include the housing or isolating of all birds, a stop to all spreading of poultry litter and manure except by a licensed veterinary inspector, and disposal of bird carcasses in accordance with inspectors' instructions.

The government said the APHA was working "on implementing disease control measures" at both sites, adding it was "essential that all bird keepers take action now to check and reinforce hygiene and biosecurity measures to protect their birds".

- BBC