Question reference: S6O-01806
- Date lodged: 18 January 2023
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 25 January 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on avian flu, including any measures it is taking to tackle its spread.
Answer
Since the start of October 2022 there have been 18 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in poultry and captive birds and 81 findings in wild birds in Scotland.
The Scottish Government responded to the risk of avian influenza from wild birds through the introduction of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in October 2022 requiring all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures, and continues to remind keepers of these obligations. Scottish Government and its operational partners have a robust control strategy in place, and a proven track record in dealing effectively and rapidly with controlling outbreaks