What is avian flu and why is it a threat to poultry farmers like Kate Postance?

Avian flu, or bird flu, is a contagious viral disease affecting birds. It poses a severe threat to poultry farmers like Kate Postance because an outbreak can lead to the culling of entire flocks, causing significant financial loss and potential business closure.

How many birds have been culled in Wales due to avian flu?

Tens of thousands of turkeys and chickens have been culled in recent weeks across various parts of Wales due to outbreaks of avian flu.

What is 'flockdown' for poultry?

Flockdown is a biosecurity measure where poultry birds are confined to their housing or shelters, preventing them from coming into contact with wild birds or contaminated environments to stop the spread of diseases like avian flu.

Home / Environment / Avian Flu Threatens Welsh Poultry Farmer's Livelihood

Avian Flu Threatens Welsh Poultry Farmer's Livelihood

24 Nov

•

Summary

Poultry farmer fears business collapse if avian flu strikes.
Thousands of birds culled recently due to HPAI H5N1 cases.
Farmer's 500 turkeys and 3,000 chickens are in lockdown.

Avian Flu Threatens Welsh Poultry Farmer's Livelihood

The specter of avian flu looms large over Welsh poultry farmers, with one farmer expressing fears of irreparable business damage should the disease reach her farm. Recent weeks have seen the culling of tens of thousands of turkeys and chickens across mid, west, and north Wales following numerous outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.

Industry leaders have stressed the critical importance of addressing concerns surrounding the spread of HPAI H5N1, while Wales' chief vet described the current situation as 'severe.' Government officials are collaborating with industry bodies to manage the ongoing crisis effectively.

In Ceredigion, farmer Kate Postance has implemented a strict 'flockdown' for her 500 free-range turkeys and 3,000 chickens. This precautionary measure aims to shield her birds from the highly contagious and potentially devastating avian flu virus, highlighting the urgent need for biosecurity protocols.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.

Avian Flu Threatens Welsh Poultry Farmer's Livelihood

24 Nov

•

Summary

Poultry farmer fears business collapse if avian flu strikes.
Thousands of birds culled recently due to HPAI H5N1 cases.
Farmer's 500 turkeys and 3,000 chickens are in lockdown.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.