Three new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) have been confirmed in Norfolk.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) yesterday (Wednesday, October 13) gave details of the new outbreaks.
The H5N1 strain of the disease was found in commercial housed poultry at an eleventh site near Attleborough, Breckland in Norfolk.
It was also confirmed in non-commercial and other captive birds at a second premises near Witham, Braintree, Essex and was in commercial housed poultry at a premises near Sleaford, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire.
A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone will be put in place around each site, and all poultry on the infected premises will be humanely culled.
Bird flu in the UK
Since October 1, 2022, there have been 31 cases of the H5N1 strain of bird flu confirmed in England.
In total, there have been 187 cases in England since the outbreak began in October of 2021.
Cases of the disease have also been confirmed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as the UK continues to battle its biggest ever outbreak.
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex came into force yesterday (Wednesday, October 12).
The housing order legally requires all bird keepers in these hotspots to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease.
Defra is urging bird keepers to consult the interactive map to check if they are impacted and to then read the regional AIPZ with housing measure declaration which sets out the requirements in the hotspot locations.
