New measures to control bird flu in force from Monday

Measures to prevent the spread of bird flu have been announced following the discovery of two cases of the virus in the canton of Zurich.

The Federal Office of Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs is introducing the measures, which come into force on Monday, to prevent the spread of the disease from wild birds to domestic poultry. 

All poultry keepers in Switzerland will have to ensure that domestic poultry don’t come into contact with wild birds, that chickens are kept separate from geese and ducks, and that access to all areas where poultry are kept is limited. 

The measures apply to all people who have poultry, even those who keep birds in their gardens or on small holdings, and will be in place until at least mid-February next year.

Bird flu has been present in swathes of Europe for some time, increasing the risk that wild birds will introduce the virus to Switzerland. 
 

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