New bird flu case triggers cordon

A case of bird flu has been identified near Thirsk

A third case of bird flu has been confirmed in North Yorkshire.

The virus was discovered at a commercial poultry site near Thirsk on Monday, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

An almost two-mile (3km) protection zone and a six-mile (10km) surveillance zone cordon has been put in place around the premises.

Defra said all the birds at the premises would be humanely culled.

Other confirmed cases in North Yorkshire of the the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, have been found at sites in Easingwold and Bedale.

The disease spreads through contaminated feed and water, or through birds' droppings and saliva.

Scientists say the current risk to humans is low.

Defra advised bird keepers to check the interactive map, to see if they are affected and read the housing measures, which explains the requirements of the zones.

A mandatory housing measure for birds covering areas of England, including North Yorkshire, has already come into force.

It is due to be extended to cover the whole of the country from Thursday, in a bid to slow the spread of the disease.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss, said: "Given the continued increase in the number of avian influenza cases in kept birds and wild birds across England, we are now taking the difficult step to extend the housing measures to the whole of England.

"We know from previous years that housing birds will bring the rates of infection down from the high we are currently experiencing."

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