H5N8 avian flu has been confirmed in a small flock of chickens and geese at a premises near Diss, South Norfolk today (3 June).
The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu in a small flock of chickens and geese at a premises near Diss, South Norfolk.
A 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
The flock is estimated to contain approximately 35 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds at the premises are being humanely culled.
A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.
Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
Keepers are urged to continue to be vigilant and look out for the signs of avian flu in their flocks, informing the Animal and Plant Health Agency should they suspect infection.
Measures lifted
The Government has only recently relaxed the Avian Flu Prevention Zones and a ban on poultry gatherings, which were lifted across England since 15 May.
The Government still advises keepers to follow industry standard best practice on biosecurity, including minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures, cleaning footwear, keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy and feeding birds indoors.
Despite the outbreak today, the most recent case of H5N8 in poultry in England was confirmed on 7 and 6 of May in Lancashire, and before that the 24 February 2017.
In March, millions of UK free range eggs temporarily lost their status after hens were forced to spend weeks inside barns as part of the government's emergency bird flu measures.
