Agriland has been covering the recent avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks across the UK and can confirm that the latest case has been confirmed at a premises in Dorset.
There is a confirmed case in birds at a premises near Pokesdown, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have said today (Friday, November 19).
As per protocol, further testing is underway to confirm the pathogenicity of the strain and 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zones have been put in place in the surrounding area.
Yesterday (Thursday, November 18) an outbreak was confirmed in commercial poultry birds at a premises near Willington, South Derbyshire, Derbyshire, and protocols as above were put in place.
The current situation
The UK is no longer free from avian influenza under the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) rules and an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across the whole of Great Britain.
Cases have been confirmed in Scotland (the Angus constituency), Wales (near Chirk, Wrexham) and the following areas:
- Droitwich Spa, Wychavon, Worcestershire (a rescue centre with captive birds – non-poultry);
- Alcester, Bidford, Warwickshire (a small commercial poultry flock);
- Frinton-on-Sea, Tendring, Essex;
- Salwick, Fylde, Lancashire (commercial poultry);
- Leeming Bar, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (commercial poultry); and
- Near Kirkham, Fylde, Lancashire (commercial poultry).
