Warning issued over bird flu risks in area

Plea for vigilance after cases found near Blairgowrie

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Outbreak Avian Flu has been found on a poultry farm

Bird keepers in Perth and Kinross have been asked to be vigilant after a bird flu outbreak was discovered at a small commercial poultry farm near Blairgowrie.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed at the Perthshire premises on January 5.

The UK Government's Animal and Plant Health Agency has issued an alert and an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is in place across Scotland, with the case in Perthshire becoming the fifth confirmed case in two months.

According to the Scottish Government website, there are currently four other outbreaks across Scotland: three in Penicuik - discovered between December 18 and 24, 2025 - and one near Lanark, confirmed on November 12.

The website states the current infection risk in wild birds is “very high” and the risk is “high where biosecurity is sub-optimal, and medium where stringent biosecurity measures are applied”.