Avian Influenza Latest Situation - 20 December 2023 - Amendments to The Avian Influenza and Influenz

On Wednesday the 20 December 2023 The Exotic Disease (Amendment) (England) Order 2023 (S.I.2023/1415) came into force and applies in England and in part introduces amendments to The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2702), in summary these amendments -

1. amend certain definitions;

2. provide for surveillance to detect avian influenza in kept mammals;

3. extend the requirement to report suspicion of avian influenza in mammals to include keepers of mammals;

4. require any person who detects avian influenza virus or antibodies to this virus in wild birds to notify the competent authorities;

5. extend the requirement for an inspector to serve notice on the occupier of premises where influenza of avian origin is suspected so that it applies whether or not poultry or other captive birds are also present on those premises;

6. extend the provisions of article 16 to apply to kept mammals;

7. update a reference to the newly renamed UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE);

8. replace references to “border inspection posts” with “border control posts” and extend the provisions of article 41 to apply to kept mammals;

9. replace and extend articles 58, 59, 60A and 61A to restrict activities on premises where mammals are kept and influenza of avian origin is suspected or confirmed and apply measures to control the spread of avian influenza virus in mammals regardless of whether or not poultry or other captive birds are also present on those premises;

10. amend schedules 4 and 5 to remove time limits on provisions permitting visual inspections to be conducted remotely in certain circumstances;

11. insert two new Schedules; Schedule 9 setting out measures which apply where influenza of avian origin is suspected in kept mammals and Schedule 10 setting out measures where apply where influenza of avian origin is confirmed.

GOV.UK guidance including the Avian influenza and influenza of avian origin: diagnostic testing, controls and reporting obligations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) andInfluenza A (H5N1) infection in mammals: suspect case definition and diagnostic testing criteria - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) documents have been updated to reflect the legislative changes outlined above. Updates to the Notifiable avian disease control strategy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) will be published in due course to reflect the changes and those made previously by Scottish Government and Welsh Government.

Private laboratories, organisations and individuals in Great Britain interested in testing samples from wild birds for the presence of avian influenza virus or antibodies to avian influenza virus should in particular read our updated Avian influenza and influenza of avian origin: diagnostic testing, controls and reporting obligations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) guidance to ensure they are familiar with their new obligations, and how and when to report detections in wild birds from England.

Contact edc.outbreak.comms@defra.gov.uk if you have any questions on the information above or wish to be removed from this distribution list.