FLINTSHIRE Council is urging local communities to be vigilant of the "increased risk" by bird flu.

The authority's warning comes after recent outbreaks in Chirk in Wrexham and on Anglesey.

People who keep birds and poultry are being asked to follow the latest advice from Welsh Government and to ensure that they keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures in order to protect their own birds and limit the spread of the disease.

This is whether people keep only a few as pets or thousands of birds as part of a business.

The disease is carried by wild birds migrating to the UK from mainland Europe during the winter months and this can lead to cases in poultry and other captive birds.

From Monday (November 29), the Chief Veterinary Officers for Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have agreed to bring in new housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds from infection.

Th measures mean that it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the UK to house all poultry and captive birds and that keepers must continue taking extra precautions to keep their flocks safe.

This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting equipment, clothing and vehicles when entering or exiting sites and limiting access to non-essential workers or visitors.

Flintshire Council's Animal Health Team is backing the Welsh Government advice for all keepers to take steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet for advice and put up additional housing where necessary to protect their birds from the disease.

Public health advice is that the risk to human health from the avian influenza virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency Wales advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

In the event of a member of the public discovering any dead or sick swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, they should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

Current Welsh Government advice to bird keepers is as follows:

  • House or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds.
  • Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing.
  • Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control.
  • Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis.
  • Keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points.
  • Minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds.

Flintshire Council's cabinet member for planning and public protection, Councillor Chris Bithell, said: "Our officers want to help bird keepers to protect their animals and ask that if you know someone who keeps birds who may not be aware of the increased risk of bird flu please spread the word so that we can keep Flintshire free of the virus.”