Bird flu in Hastings

This year has seen an unprecedented number of cases of bird flu (avian influenza) both locally and nationally. Information on this page gives advice on what to do if you keep domestic birds such as chickens, ducks and pigeons.

The Chief Veterinary Officer has announced that mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds, which were introduced across England to help stop the spread of bird flu, will be lifted from 00:01 on Tuesday 18 April 2023, but scrupulous standards of biosecurity remain essential. The measures in Wales will be lifted at the same time.

How bird flu affects Hastings

Last summer cases were confirmed in a small domestic flock in Bexhill, and captive birds in Fairlight that led to a protection and surveillance area being put into place. Since then here in Hastings we have had sporadic confirmed cases when dead seabirds have been tested. Now the whole of England, Wales and Scotland is covered an Avian Influenza Protection Zone with mandatory housing order since 7 November 2022.

July 2023 - The closest protection and surveillance zone to Hastings is West Sussex. To find out more please see the Animal and Plant Health Agency interactive avian influenza disease map.

How to protect your birds

Measures are in place to help restrict the spread of disease. Keeping captive birds away from wild birds by putting them in sheds or using fine mesh to protect outside runs is a large part of biosecurity or infection control. Also think about cleaning and what you are taking into enclosures including food and boots.

For full government guidance see:

• Bird flu (avian influenza): how to prevent it and stop it spreading
• Bird flu (avian influenza): housing your birds safely

Sign up for updates if you keep birds in the Hastings Borough

If you have a small domestic flock (below 50 birds) such as chickens you do not have to register with Defra.

You can sign up to receive updates of how bird flu is changing and affecting Hastings and the surrounding area. Please click on the button below to register your contact details. Please give either an email address or mobile phone number as updates will be sent as email or text. Your contact information will only be used for updating you on bird flu and will not be passed onto any others.

For further information

• Latest national bird flu update
• Symptoms of bird flu
• Restrictions on racing pigeons, birds of prey and other captive birds

Contact us

• Email: environmentalhealth@hastings.gov.uk

Avian influenza in non-avian wildlife

There has been coverage in the media on avian influenza 'spilling over' into mammals, including otters, foxes and seals. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published their report on this topic last year and the evidence suggests no increased risk to mammals.
In England, reports of dead wild mammals (two or more dead mammals in the same location, nervous disease or other unusual mortality) should be reported to the relevant local Animal and Plant Health Agency Veterinary Investigation Centre.

For further information, please visit the government's website.