On December 9, a shielding obligation for poultry from professional keepers and hobby keepers was introduced. The FASFC also strongly advises private keepers to span their enclosure to avoid contact with wild birds. Feeding and watering the animals must be done indoors.
If keepers notice increased mortality in their animals, or any other symptom of illness, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Avian influenza (AI), or bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease to which all bird species are probably susceptible. There is no scientific indication that this H5 virus is also harmful to humans.