UK imposes restrictions on bird keepers after discovering more Avian Flu cases

"The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed tobring in new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK," the press release read.

A stay-home order for birds was declared, even though the authorities stressed that bird flu's risks for human health and food safety are "very low."

"The new housing measures, which will come into force on 14 December, mean that it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease," the agency said, urging the owners to use the remaining time to put in place provisions for implementing the new restrictions without jeopardizing animal welfare.

The necessary measures, as listed in the press release, include cleaning and disinfecting equipment, clothing and vehicles, limiting access to non-essential people on their sites, and workers changing clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.

A succession of bird flu hotbeds was detected across the UK during the November-December period. More than 40,000 farm birds were culled and thousands more will be in order to curb the spread of the disease.