Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 - bird flu - has today (Friday, March 11) been confirmed in a backyard flock at a premises near Collieston, Aberdeenshire in Scotland.

In order to limit the spread of the disease protocol has been followed: 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zones have been declared around the infected premises.

Within these zones, a range of different controls are now in place. These include restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure, and restrictions on bird gatherings.

The last confirmed case of bird flu in Scotland was on January 22, also in Aberdeenshire, at a premises near Inverurie, and before that on December 15, at a premises near Gretna, Dumfriesshire.

As the disease threat is ongoing, Scotland's chief veterinary officer Sheila Voas is reminding bird keepers to remain vigilant for signs of the disease and to continue to uphold high biosecurity measures.

“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 and prevent any contact between their birds and wild birds," she said.

“The risk to the general public's health from avian influenza is very low," she added.

"However, the risk to people with intensive exposure to infected birds is considered to be low. Food Standards Scotland advises that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs. ”