Some 170,000 birds are to be culled on a UK poultry farm after a case of avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed on the farm.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK confirmed the case and investigations are ongoing on the Lancashire farm.
A temporary control zone imposed on Friday at the affected farm has now been replaced by a 10km surveillance zone and an inner 3km protection zone, it says.
Restrictions remain in place and the humane culling of all birds at the farm is continuing, DEFRA says.
Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health from this strain of bird flu is very low and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said there is no food safety risk for consumers.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens said that final tests results have confirmed a case of bird flu at a farm in Lancashire.
“Restrictions put in place last week will continue and the humane culling of all birds at the site is progressing. These actions are part of our tried and tested approach to dealing with previous outbreaks.
“Public Health England has confirmed that the risk to public health from this strain is very low. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said there is no food safety risk for consumers,” he said.
Gibbens said that bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspect disease to their nearest APHA office immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.
Last year there were two outbreaks of bird flu in the UK, one in Yorkshire and one in Hampshire which were both contained at the time DEFRA.
