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How to minimise risk in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ)

Avian Influenza (AI) poses a significant threat to poultry keepers, particularly during high-risk periods. When the Chief Veterinary Officer declares an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), this declaration requires stringent biosecurity measures to control the spread of the disease. Whether you are a smallholder or a commercial poultry operator, protecting your birds must be a top priority.

At Livetec, we are dedicated to helping you understand and implement the measures needed to safeguard your flock. With years of experience in biosecurity and disease mitigation, we’re here to ensure you have the right tools and guidance. 

Here are our top three points to help minimise risk while operating in a Prevention Zone (AIPZ) and maintaining stringent biosecurity. 

  1. Minimise movement to reduce contamination

Limit access to essential personnel, equipment, and vehicles to reduce the risk of contamination. 

  • Personal hygiene and awareness: Be mindful of where you’ve been and be aware your movements can spread contaminants. 
  • Tracking visitors and recording site access: Maintain comprehensive records of everyone entering and exiting the site, with particular attention to individuals visiting your birds directly. 
  1. Enforce strict entry and exit protocols

Establish and enforce strict protocols for entering and exiting your farm, especially when interacting with your birds, this could be as simple as shutting and locking gates. 

  • Vehicle Hygiene: Insure you have equipment in place to effectively clean and disinfect any vehicles entering the farm. Regularly clean your vehicles footwells 
  • Regular cleaning of boots and barrier areas: Site and shed boots should be cleaned more frequently. Intermediate areas, such as anterooms or barrier areas, must also be disinfected regularly. 
  • Boot management: Boot dips must be in place and regularly replenished. In addition, it is best practice to change your footwear when entering any live bird area. 
  1. Separate from wild birds

Keeping your birds separated from wild birds is critical. This will require extra effort; and you may decide that fully housing your birds is the best/only option. To assist in separation, you can also: 

  • Discourage wild birds from roosting and feeding on your site. 
  • Assess public access: Evaluate and manage public access, including public rights of way, to minimise potential exposure to your birds. 
  • Monitor deceased wild birds: Regularly inspect your whole property for deceased wild birds, such as waterfowl, as they could indicate potential disease risk in the area. 

At Livetec, we understand the challenges poultry keepers face when operating in an AIPZ.  

Here’s how we can support you: 

  • Knowledge Hub Expertise: Access expert guidance and resources to stay compliant with AIPZ regulations and implement effective biosecurity measures. 
  • Emergency Disease Response: In the event of an outbreak, our team is equipped to provide immediate support to help you navigate the crisis and protect your business. 

For more information, please see the Government declaration of Avian Influenza Prevention Zone – mandatory biosecurity measures: AIPZ declaration 



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