The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in two commercial poultry farms in Norfolk in England.
Defra has said that the H5N1 strain of bird flu was confirmed in both farms and that all poultry on the premises will be “humanely culled”.
According to the department, avian influenza was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Attleborough, Breckland, Norfolk.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been put in place surrounding the premises.
Separately the avian influenza virus was also confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Gayton, Kings Lynn, west Norfolk.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been also been put in place surrounding these premises.
<p>The latest confirmation of the H5N1 bird flu virus on two further poultry farms by Defra brings the total number of cases in Norfolk to six.
The H5N1 virus had also been confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Cranworth, mid Norfolk last week while earlier this month there had also been three confirmations in mid Norfolk and one in Dereham.
According to Defra there are currently eight confirmed cases of the H5N1 bird flu virus in England and one case of the H5N5 virus.
There have been no bird flu cases confirmed in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Prevention zone
Last week the UK’s chief veterinary officer declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to “mitigate” the risk of further outbreaks of the H5N1 virus.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, has urged bird keepers to “exercise robust biosecurity measures and remain alert for any signs of disease”.
The UK government has stressed that the current risk to human health remains very low and “properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat”.
“UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review,” it has also advised.
