Poultry keepers in Wales have been urged by the chief vet to maintain the highest levels of hygiene and biosecurity and stay vigilant for signs of avian influenza.
While avian flu has continued to affect wild birds over the summer, the winter migration period brings a heightened risk to kept birds.
Chief veterinary officer for Wales Dr Richard Irvine said: “Rigorous and scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity measures offer the best protection for kept birds against avian influenza. Whether keepers have a few birds or a thousand, it is vital the very highest standards of biosecurity are maintained at all times.
“Vigilance is also key. It’s important you report any signs or suspicion of avian influenza in your flock immediately.
“I’d like to thank bird keepers for their efforts to date in keeping their birds safe. As we enter the autumn and winter months it is now more important than ever to maintain the very highest levels of biosecurity and stay vigilant.”