Bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that all poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
A protection zone spanning 3km (1.86 miles) has been set up around the site. Defra has also established a surveillance zone covering 10km (6.21 miles) around the farm.
Tests revealed the H5N5 strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus at the site. This is the first case of this strain found in poultry or captive birds in England during the current outbreak.
Both H5N5 and H5N1 strains have been detected in wild birds in Britain this autumn, leading to an increase in the risk level for the H5 strain from medium to high. However, it remains low in poultry.
The UK Health Security Agency reassured that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency stated that bird flu poses a minimal food safety risk, with properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remaining safe to eat, reports Chronicle Live.
Since October, all keepers of birds, including chickens, geese and ducks, have been required to register their flocks with the Animal and Plant Health Agency. This new legislation was introduced to monitor outbreaks of avian influenza.
The register, once only mandatory for those owning 50 or more birds, now stipulates that anyone keeping even a single bird outdoors must register. Indoor birds like budgies, parrots, and canaries without outside exposure are not affected.
In an urgent communication issued to poultry owners today (November 6), the APHA declared: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N5 has been confirmed at a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire.”
“All birds keepers should remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks. More information is available at gov.uk”.
“If you’re in a bird flu disease control zone you must follow the rules for that zone and check if you need a licence to move poultry, poultry by-products, eggs, material or mammals.Upon confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in birds, immediate controls around the infected premises may include the establishment of zones – check if these apply to you on the governmental map.”
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