Bird flu confirmed at poultry premises

Norfolk's first case of bird flu this autumn has been confirmed by the government.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 had been discovered in commercial poultry at premises near Dersingham.

A 1.86-mile (3km) protection zone and a 6.21-mile (10km) surveillance zone have been put in place around the site. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled, APHA said.

The restrictions mean all bird keepers must follow stringent biosecurity measures in addition to the protection and surveillance measures.

The number of cases of bird flu in the UK so far this autumn now stands at five.

According to APHA, the protective zone means there are restrictions on the movement of birds and eggs and restrictions on people coming into contact with poultry and poultry eggs.

Transmission from birds to humans is rare, and there has been no sustained human-to-human transmission.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the risk to the general public's health posed by avian influenza remained very low, while the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it posed a very low food safety risk, with properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, safe to eat.

You cannot vaccinate poultry or most captive birds against bird flu in England.

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