Hundreds of birds are to be culled after a bird flu outbreak near Swindon.
A 3km Protection Zone is in place around the location off Mill Lane, Castle Eaton, following confirmed avian influenza H5N1 cases there.
The zone covers a number of villages, including Kempsford and Marston Meysey, with owners of birds – even pet chickens – forced to take action to prevent the spread.
Owners of more than 500 birds must restrict access for non-essential visitors, change clothing and footwear before entering enclosures and disinfect vehicles regularly.
A 10km Surveillance Zone is also in place, which extends to cover most of north Swindon.
In this zone, owners of birds must keep detailed records of their movements and visitors but they aren’t required to isolate their poultry. Any movement of poultry or eggs out of the surveillance zone needs to be licensed by a veterinary inspector.
A spokesperson for DEFRA said: “”Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in birds at a premises near Highworth, Swindon, Wiltshire on the 10 December 2021.
“All birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled..
“A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the premises.”
