11 January 2017
The risk of an outbreak of avian influenza (also known as avian flu or bird flu) in Jersey is low, but the Department of the Environment’s Veterinary Officer is taking a number of steps to reduce the risk.
- The recommendation to minimise contact between domestic poultry and wild birds remains in place. Where possible, domestic chickens, ducks, geese, etc., should be kept indoors or in a netted area
- In Jersey no licences are being given for any sort of poultry gathering – such as bird shows
- All poultry importations now require an individual licence, with certain conditions set out for each licence
These measures will remain in place at least until 28 February 2017.
Some strains of avian influenza can cause significant mortality in poultry. Recently the H5N8 strain has been detected across Europe including the UK, spread by wild waterfowl with infection occasionally spilling over into domestic poultry.
Although other bird flu strains have sometimes affected people, this current outbreak strain has not. This outbreak of avian flu does not pose a food safety risk.
To help detect the virus, if it should come to Jersey, members of the public are asked to report any dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead birds such as gulls or birds of prey to the States Veterinary office at Howard Davis Farm.
The States Vet, Theo Knight-Jones will continue to monitor the situation and advise on any necessary measures.
Phone the Department of the Environment at Howard Davis Farm: +441534 441600
Email the States Vet
More information can be found on the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) website:
Download Defra guidance sheet on how to reduce contact between domestic poultry and wild birds to minimise the risk of avian flu transmission (188kb)
Link to further guidance from Defra and an overview of the UK situation
Download map of H5N8 strain of bird flu in wild birds, captive birds and poultry 2016 (422kb)
gov.je