The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have reported today (Friday August 8) that a commercial poultry flock in England was culled after suspicions were raised of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, otherwise known as bird flu.
The department were alerted to a commercial poultry farm in Woodbridge, East Suffolk following reports of the virus.
As of this evening, the presence of the virus has not being confirmed. However, a decision was made to cull the birds based onthe clinical signs displayed, according to Defra.
The department are currently awaiting post mortem results to confirm the presence of the virus.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the property.
The government also confirmed that all other poultry on the Woodbridge premises will be humanely culled to prevent any disease-spread.
If confirmed, this would mark the fourth confirmed case of the virus in just over a week, with the most recent confirmed case was in Breckland, Norfolk on Wednesday August 6.
Bird flu prevention
The government have advised farmers and other bird keepers on what practices to follow in keeping out the disease.
Defra advised farmers that good biosecurity will limit the spread of the infection and help keep the disease out of flocks.
The department told keepers with more than 500 birds to restrict access for non-essential personnel on their sites.
Any workers coming in and out of bird enclosures must change their clothing and footwear before entering, and all site vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
The government also advised backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry – including chickens, ducks and geese – to take the correct steps in minimising disease spread.
Wild animals
The government has also warned against touching any dead birds and other wild mammals, as the carcasses can still be carriers of the disease.
The government said that there are avian influenza surveillance systems in place for the reporting and monitoring of dead wild birds and certain species suspected of having been infected with avian influenza.
The public were also advised to report the location of any dead wild animals they may come across to the local field services office.
The public has been advised, as with dead wild birds, that if they find a dead animal of any species, to not pick it up.
The government is advising all bird owners to remain vigilant, especially in high risk areas, and reminded farmers that bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and any suspected cases on a farm you should be reported in accordance with the law.
