#12,279
A little over 2 weeks ago (Feb 13th) DEFRA announced the UK's 9th poultry outbreak with HPAI H5N8 this winter (see
UK: New H5N8 Outbreak In Suffolk - DEFRA). A 10km Temporary Control Zone around a poultry premises near Redgrave, and nearby farms were placed under strict monitoring.
Today DEFRA has announced a second farm - one with roughly 55,000 birds - will be culled and disinfected after traces of the virus were apparently detected in - or nearby - this facility.
They are calling a `
proactive' culling, so the exact circumstances are not completely clear. The DEFRA statement reads:
Defra’s routine investigations following a confirmed case of H5N8
near Redgrave in Suffolk have led to the detection of the virus at a
further separate premises.
Due to the unacceptable high risk and to contain the possible spread
of avian flu, the UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has today (3
March) confirmed that proactive culling of around 55,000 birds will take
place.
The premises will then be cleansed and disinfected, further reducing the risk to other birds. A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone
are already in place following the previous case in the area. Our
investigations will continue and the restrictions already placed on the
site will remain in force until cleansing and disinfection is finished
and the investigation is 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. You can use our interactive map
to check if you are affected by restrictions around any premises.
Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office on
02082257318.
