Two more cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) H5N1 have been confirmed in England, with both cases involving commercial poultry.
Bird flu was found at a premises near Heybridge, Maldon in Essex and at a premises neat Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire in Yorkshire, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said yesterday (Tuesday, September 6).
This is the second premises with commercial poultry near Bridlington to have an outbreak of the disease as HPAI was confirmed at a first on August 29.
3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance zones have been put in place around the Yorkshire and Essex premises as per protocol, and all birds on the premises will be humanely culled too.
Bird flu
These cases of bird flu bring England’s total to 119. Most recently, bird flu was confirmed in Norfolk on September 3; in Devon on September 2; and in Cornwall on August 29.
Notably, there are eight disease control zones in force in Devon at present. Thus, due to the risk in the southwest area, a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared on August 31.
It applies to Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Somerset.
Outside of England, a case of bird flu was also confirmed in Wales yesterday, at a premises near Arthog in Gwynedd, northwest Wales.
While this is only Wales’ sixth case of bird flu in the last 12 months – in a year when England and Europe have had their largest-ever outbreaks of the disease – Wales’ deputy chief veterinary officer Dr. Gavin Watkins said it is “cause for concern”.
It is “evidence of the continuing risk that is out there” he said.
“There has been an unprecedented incursion of avian influenza into Great Britain and Europe in 2022 and keepers of birds must be vigilant and ensure they have the very highest levels of biosecurity in place,” he added.
