Bird flu restrictions in Somerset West and Taunton

A regional Asian Influenza Prevention Zone was declared by Defra at midday to "reduce the risk of the transmission of avian influenza to poultry and other captive birds from wild birds or any other source".

It has been brought in following a number of cases in poultry and wild and captive birds in the South West.

A total of nine premises in the region have been detected in captive birds and several cases in wild seabirds since July.

A Defra spokesperson said the restrictions will remain in place until further notice and kept under regular review.

All keepers of poultry and other captive birds, including pet birds in the zone must comply with the minimum biosecurity measures in force.

Those measures include:

• taking precautions to avoid the transfer of the virus contamination between premises;
• storing feed, water and bedding undercover and preventing access by wild birds;
• not keeping ducks and geese in the same pen as other poultry;
• avoiding direct contact with poultry or other captive birds in neighbouring premises;
• only undertaking essential movements of people, vehicles or equipment to and from premises where poultry are kept;
• records of bird or egg movements must be kept.

These measures and enhanced biosecurity measures must be employed by all keepers of 500 or more poultry or other captive birds in any part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.

A Defra spokesperson said the UK Health Security Agency has advised "the risk to public health from the virus is very low".