Avian Influenza identified at a premises on Anglesey
The Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd has declared an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone from the 17 October 2022 followingthe discovery of 
the presence of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in poultry at a site in Anglesey.
18 October 2022
An All Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared on Monday 17 October, at 12:00. England and Scotland have also declared equivalent national Avian Influenza Prevention Zones. A Welsh Government press notice has been issued.
The AIPZ introduces mandatory enhanced biosecurity measures across Wales for all bird keepers, in order to protect their birds and the national flock.
All keepers of poultry and other captive birds, irrespective of how those birds are kept, are to take appropriate and practicable steps, including:
- Reducing access of poultry and other captive birds to areas frequently visited and contaminated by wild waterfowl;
- Ensuring the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
- Taking steps to feed and water birds in enclosed areas and ensure feed, water and bedding are not exposed to virus contamination, particularly through bird droppings, and stored in a means not accessible to wild birds;
- Minimising movement of people in and out of bird enclosures;
- Cleaning and disinfecting footwear with foot dips, and ensure there are precautions to avoid the direct or indirect transfer of virus contamination into and between premises, from anything liable to spread infection such as clothing;
- Keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy;
- Reducing any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas.
Keepers with more than 500 birds are also required to take additional biosecurity measures, including restricting access to non-essential people to the premises.
The Prevention Zone will be reviewed regularly to ensure the measures it imposes remain appropriate to the level of risk we face. A mandatory housing order is not in place at this time, however, keepers may wish to consider housing their birds in consultation with their veterinary practitioner.
More information is available on the Welsh Government website, and updated biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist will be published shortly, which bird keepers should follow to help keep their birds free of disease.