Five new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) have been confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
And, four out of the five cases are in commercial poultry, the bodies said yesterday (Wednesday, October 26).
The disease was confirmed at an eighth and ninth premises in Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk.
The H5N1 strain was also detected on a site near Stalham in North Norfolk and on a third site near North Somercotes, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire.
A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been declared surrounding each of the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
The fifth outbreak, in non-commercial poultry, is at a premises near Much Hoole, South Ribble, Lancashire, Defra and the APHA said.
A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been declared around the premises. All birds on the premises will be humanely culled.
Since October 1, 2022. there have been 73 cases of bird flu in England.
In total, there have been 207 cases in England since the outbreak began in October 2021.
Chief veterinary officers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland declared a UK-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds earlier this month.
From Monday, October 17, it became a legal requirement for all bird keepers in the UK to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza.
