Bird flu case confirmed as protection zone set up

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises

A case of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has been confirmed at a site in Shropshire.

The government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the case in poultry at a premises near Wem on Monday.

All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled and Defra has set up a 3km (1.86-mile) "protection zone" around the site, along with a 10km (6.21-mile) "surveillance zone".

Although the site is in England, part of the surveillance zone extends into the Wrexham local authority area of Wales.

The UK Health Security Agency says avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low.

Birds within the protection zone should not be kept outdoors and there should be no movement of birds or eggs within, or outside of, the zone except under licence.

All keepers of birds are now required to register their premises, excluding keepers of species such as budgies, parrots, cockatiels and finches where the birds are fully housed with no access to open air.

Shropshire Council said owners of 50 or more birds had a legal requirement to add their flock to the poultry register on the government website.