Bird flu confirmed at commercial poultry premises

A 3km (1.9m) protection zone has been put in place around the commercial poultry premises near Lakenheath

A protection zone has been put in place following a case of bird flu at a commercial poultry premises.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the H5N1 virus was confirmed at a property near Lakenheath, in Suffolk, on Sunday and all birds would be culled.

A 3km (1.9 mile) protection zone and 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone were put in place around the premises and would remain until the declaration was withdrawn.

It is the first confirmed case in the East of England since an outbreak near Attleborough in Norfolk, in August.

The disease 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.