The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed the H5N1 strain of avian influenza (bird flu) in chickens and other captive birds (non-poultry) at three different sites over the weekend.
Premises in Cheshire, Suffolk and Essex have had confirmed cases of highly pathogenic bird flu over the weekend.
Bird flu was found in chickens yesterday (Sunday, September 18) at a premises near Clacton on Sea, Tendring, Essex.
It was confirmed in chickens on Saturday (September 17) at a premises near Bury St. Edmunds, West Suffolk, Suffolk and on Friday (September 16,) in chickens and other captive birds (non-poultry) at a premises near Crewe, Cheshire East, Cheshire.
Following protocol, 3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance Zones were declared around the premises.
The affected birds at each location will also be “humanely culled”, Defra said.
These three outbreaks bring the total number of cases of bird flu in England to 123.
Cases have also been confirmed at premises in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Public health
Defra urges the public not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds.
It says it is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to monitor the current situation and will be providing health advice to people at infected premises as a precaution.
The Food Standards Agency has said that, according to current scientific advice, bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.
Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
