Merton Council is warning owners about bird flu after the Government declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across England.

All keepers of poultry and other birds in England must comply with the minimum biosecurity measure issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

There are additional biosecurity measures for keepers of birds which have access to outdoor areas and for those keepers with 500 or more birds.

Merton Council's cabinet member for adult social care and health and chairman of Merton Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board, councillor Tobin Byers said: “Defra’s introduction of a Prevention Zone applies not only for farmers but for people who keep birds in their own homes too.

“We advise Merton residents to follow the prevention measures set out by Defra while maintaining animal welfare and personal safety at all times.

“These precautions are designed to help prevent the spread of avian influenza amongst domestic birds and we are assured by both Defra and Public Health England that in the case of this particular strain of avian influenza there has been no incidence of it ever having spread to humans.”

For full information can be found on the Defra website.