Decision-makers have sounded the alarm in advice on avian influenza, after multiple cases have been confirmed in our county.

Cheshire East Council is working to support the response to two confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in Cheshire West and Chester, to prevent it spreading to Macclesfield.

The outbreaks are in premises close to the border with Cheshire East, near Aldersley and near Tarporley, about 29 miles from our town.

A 1.86 mile protection zone and 6.21 mile surveillance zone has been put in place around each outbreak.

The protection zones require foot patrols around local premises by animal health officers and non-movement of birds within or out of the zone.

They do not restrict the movement of people.

Full details of measures, restrictions and activities for each area are available here and here.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers and it does not affect the consumption of poultry or eggs.

Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.

Residents are reminded to not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find.

If they find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, they should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 335577).

You may also wish to hold back on feeding animals, as the disease can be carried by and infect humans in rare instances.

The latest outbreak, which started last year, continues to threaten our wildlife in 2022.

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