This Order continues to make provision for preventive measures to reduce the risk of the transmission of avian influenza and measures to deal with any suspected or confirmed outbreak of avian influenza at premises and provides for surveillance of the disease. It also contains measures to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza viruses to pigs and other mammals.
Measures concern both outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza and low pathogenic avian influenza. Measures include the declaration of protection zones, surveillance zones and restricted zones around infected premises, slaughterhouses, quarantine centres and border inspection posts. The Order does not deal with vaccination. One measure concerns the tracing of meat and eggs from infected premises.
The main changes to the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) Order 2006 concern: (a) the requirement to inform the Divisional Veterinary Manager if an examining person suspects influenza of avian origin or antibodies to the disease in the mammal or carcase; (b) measures applicable to suspect and infected premises to contact premises to be taken by the Secretary of State; (c) derogations from certain measures applicable to laboratories where low pathogenic avian influenza virus is kept; (d) the duty of the occupier of premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept to keep records of visitors to those premises; (e) the serving notices in certain circumstances by local authorities as well as veterinary inspectors.