Due to continued outbreaks of avian influenza (‘bird flu’) in the UK, the Guernsey States Veterinary Officers would like to encourage all pet/commercial poultry keepers to register with them so that they can alert keepers of any disease outbreaks or any other health or welfare concerns that may arise.
Avian influenza is a viral infection of domestic poultry and other wild birds, such as migrating waterfowl. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.
The virus is transmitted between individual birds by eating or drinking contaminated feed/water or inhalation of the virus. It can also be spread through the introduction of diseased birds to the flock or poor biosecurity of poultry keepers, such as a lack of cleaning and disinfection and poor pest control.
It is a notifiable animal disease, meaning that if you suspect any signs of avian influenza in poultry or wild birds, you must contact the States Veterinary Officers or by telephone- 01481 711161.
More information on how poultry keepers can keep their poultry safe and what symptoms to look out for can be found here.
To be notified by the States Veterinary Officers in the event of disease outbreaks or other health and welfare concerns which may affect poultry, keepers can register (here) or by calling 01481 235740 and providing the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Contact details (phone number, email address)
- Type of birds kept
- Number of birds kept
- Location of poultry are located (if different to home address)
