Birdkeepers urged to be vigilant over flu outbreak

More than 10,000 birds were set to be culled after an outbreak of bird flu in Cheshire

Birdkeepers have been urged to remain vigilant after an outbreak of bird flu at a poultry farm.

People in Staffordshire were issued advice after the outbreak was confirmed among a flock of more than 10,000 birds at a premises near Wybunbury in south Cheshire on Monday.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said a 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone and 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone have been put in place and confirmed all poultry at the site would be humanely culled.

Councillor Anthony Screen, of Staffordshire County Council, advised people to "remain alert for any signs of the disease" and to report cases immediately.

"Bird flu can have real implications for local wildlife and the poultry sector, so it's important that we all do what we can to help reduce cases of it," he added.

The authority has advised birdkeepers to do the following to help reduce the risk of the disease:

• Keeping the area where birds live clean and tidy by controlling rats and mice, while regularly disinfecting any hard surfaces

• Cleaning footwear before and after visits

• Placing birds' feed and water in fully enclosed areas protected from wild birds and removing any spilt feed regularly

• Putting fencing around outdoor areas where birds are and limiting their access to ponds or areas visited by wild waterfowl

• Where possible, avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry species.