Second bird flu control zone declared near Newtown, Powys

The new zone neighbours a previous control zone just outside Newtown that was put in place earlier in the month and a new a 3km protection zone, as well as a 10km surveilance zone, has been declared around the infected premises to limit the risk of disease spread.

A Welsh Government map showing the area of the restricted area shows its centre close to Bettws Hall, which is famous across the country for its pheasant rearing operations.

It has not been officially confirmed that the outbreak was at Bettws Hall, however. The County Times has approached the business for comment.

The zone was declared in place as of Thursday April 27 and will increase the restrictions placed on farms in the area that include the isolation of captive birds, record keeping of visitors and the strict hygiene measures.

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This is the second control zone declared this week after a premises 3 miles away was declared after a confirmed case of avian flu at a commercial poultry premises near Pentre Llifior.

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Richard Irvine has said bird owners should continue to practice rigorous hygiene and biosecurity after announcing that housing measures for poultry and captive birds were lifted on April 18.

Powys County Council has advised that all bird owners be vigilant for signs of the disease such as increased mortality, respiratory distress and drops in food or water intake, or egg production.

Bird owners are asked to consult veterinary surgeon in the first instance if their birds are unwell, and if they suspect Avian Influenza could be causing the illness of their bird they are required by law to report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Anyone who finds dead wild waterfowl such as swans, geese or ducks, or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

You can check to see if your premises falls within either the Protection Zone or the Surveillance Zone on the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Interactive Influenza Disease Map.