#12,172
For the third time in less than a week, and the 6th time in January, DEFRA is reporting on the detection of HPAI H5N8 in a UK flock. The 6 poultry operations that remain under restrictions are:
- Wyre, Lancashire (confirmed on 27 January 2017)
- Boston, Lincolnshire (confirmed on 26 January 2017)
- Wyre, Lancashire (confirmed on 24 January 2017)
- East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (confirmed on 16 January 2017)
- Settle, North Yorkshire (confirmed on 6 January 2017)
- Carmarthenshire, Wales (confirmed on 4 January 2017)
Details on this latest discovery follow:
Avian flu confirmed at a farm in Wyre, Lancashire
The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed a second case of H5N8 avian flu at a premises in Wyre, Lancashire.
The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu in a flock of pheasants at a farm in Wyre, Lancashire. A 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone are in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls we’ve put in place.
This case was proactively identified as part of a routine investigation of premises traced as a result of confirmation of the disease in Lancashire earlier this week. There is a business link between the two premises.
The flock is estimated to contain approximately 1,000 birds. A number have died and laboratory results of samples taken were positive for H5N8. The remaining birds at the premises are being humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection and related premises have been placed under restrictions which will remain in place until all investigations are complete.
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.
Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.
