Latest bird flu case found at large turkey site

Animal and Plant Health Agency staff are working at the site close to Wells-next-the-Sea

A protection zone has been set up after another case of bird flu in Norfolk was found at a large commercial turkey premises.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the H5N1 virus was confirmed at the premises near Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, on Tuesday.

A 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone and 10km (6-mile) surveillance zone was placed around the premises and all poultry will be humanely culled.

Strict lockdown measures came into force last week for keepers of more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products for parts of the North, Midlands and East of England, including Norfolk.

Owners either within the surveillance zone, or protection zone, have to keep a record of poultry leaving and entering their premises.

Those in the protection zone have to follow heightened biosecurity rules, such as cleaning and disinfection.

The BBC understands there are 16,000 turkeys housed in two sheds at the north Norfolk site.

On Friday, the virus was confirmed at a large commercial poultry unit near Ormesby St Margaret in Great Yarmouth.

From 00:01 GMT on Thursday, the avian influenza prevention zone mandatory housing measures will be extended to the whole of England, Defra said.

Bird flu is caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals, including foxes, seals and otters.

Defra said the risk to the public was very low, but people should not touch or move any dead or sick wild birds.