A bird flu prevention zone has been declared across Britain following a number of cases of the deadly virus.
Farms and bird keepers have been ordered to toughen their biosecurity measures after the disease was found in wild and captive birds in England, Wales and Scotland.
The government said it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Britain to follow strict measures, with those with more than 500 birds needing to restrict access for non-essential people.
Areas must also be cleaned regularly - and workers were warned not to pick up sick or dead birds where there is a suspected outbreak.
Officials said the risk to public health from the virus was very low.
In a joint statement, the Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales said: "Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you are now legally required to introduce higher biosecurity standards on your farm or small holding.
"It is in your interests to do so in order to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.
"The UK health agencies have confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and UK food standards agencies advise that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers."
Earlier today the Scottish government confirmed there had been cases on a farm in Angus, with measures put in place to prevent the spread, the Daily Record reports.
Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Sheila Voas, said: “We are conducting further tests to establish the pathogenicity of avian influenza H5N1 in a flock of birds in the Angus constituency.
“We have already made clear that all bird keepers – whether major businesses or small keepers with just a few birds – must ensure that their biosecurity is up to scratch to protect their birds from disease.
“Keepers who are concerned about the health or welfare of their flock should seek veterinary advice immediately.
“Private vets, or the local Animal and Plant Health Agency office, will also be able to provide practical advice on keeping birds safe from infection.
“If a single dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), a single dead bird of prey, or five or more dead wild birds of any other species (including gulls) are found at the same place at the same time, this should be reported to Defra’s national helpline.
"Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds.”
Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: "With the recent disease confirmations in wild and captive birds in the UK, it is not unexpected for avian influenza to be found in birds here.
"Temporary Control Zones have been put in place around the infected premises and we ask that the public remain vigilant and report any findings of dead wild birds."
The new guidelines say those who keep birds must:
- Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry;
- Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
- Feed and water their birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
- Minimise movement into and out of bird enclosures;
- Cleanse and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
- Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas;
- Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances, e.g. zoo birds).
