Avian flu detected on more poultry farms
Bird keepers have been urged to remain vigilant.
Three cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 have been confirmed at commercial poultry premises in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Norfolk.
The case in the East Riding of Yorkshire was detected at a premises near Beverley. The cases in Norfolk were confirmed at a premises near Dereham and a premises near Watton.
The premises near Watton is the second in the area where the virus has been confirmed, after a case at a different premises nearby was earlier confirmed on the 5 December.
Around all of the affected premises, 3km protection zones and 10km surveillance zones have been put in place. All poultry at the sites have been humanely culled, with the birds at the second Watton site being culled due to suspicion of the disease before further testing confirmed the presence of the virus.
Two cases of avian flu were also detected in November. The premises affected near Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire has now had its protection zone and surveillance zone ended following the completion of disease control activities. At the premises affected near Rosudgeon, Cornwall, the protection zone has now ended and become part of the surveillance zone.
All bird keepers have been urged by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures.
Clinical signs of avian flu infection must be reported in England to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Cases in Wales should be reported on 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, the local Field Services Office must be contacted.
A map of the disease control zones can be found here.
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An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been introduced across Wales.
