Avian influenza in Scotland update

The Scottish Government has reminded bird keepers in Scotland to maximise biosecurity measures and keep their flocks housed, after avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed in a flock of approximately 14,000 kept birds on a gamebird rearing premises in Leven, Glenrothes. Laboratory results of samples taken from the flock have identified the strain as highly pathogenic in poultry.

In order to limit the further spread of disease, restrictions have been imposed on the premises, including a protection zone of three kilometres and a surveillance zone of ten kilometres. Within these zones, a range of controls are in place, including restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter, and manure.

The Scottish Government has advised that the risk to human health from the virus is very low, and food standards bodies inform that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, as it does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs.

Source: Scottish Government, 13 February 2021