Six new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) have been confirmed in southeast England.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), five out of the six cases are in Norfolk.
The H5N1 strain of the disease was confirmed to be at a third and fourth premises near Dereham in Breckland, and at a fifth premises near Mundford, Norfolk, yesterday (Tuesday, October 18).
Bird flu was also confirmed at a second site near Feltwell, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, and on a premises near Billingshurst, Horsham, West Sussex yesterday.
The disease was confirmed in commercial housed poultry on Monday (October 17) at a premises near Mileham in Breckland.
3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance Zones have been declared around each affected premises.
All poultry on the sites will be humanely culled.
Bird flu spread
The chief veterinary officers (CVOs) from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain
This is an attempt to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
“Bird keepers have faced the largest ever outbreak of avian flu this year and with winter brings an even more increased risk to flocks as migratory birds return to the United Kingdom,” the CVOs said in a joint statement on Monday (October 17).
“Scrupulous biosecurity and hygiene measures is the best form of defence, which is why we have declared an AIPZ across Great Britain, meaning that all bird keepers must take action to help prevent the disease spreading to more poultry and other domestic birds.”
The AIPZ means that it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease.
