Bird flu outbreaks confirmed at two farms

Restrictions have been brought in around two farms in Lincolnshire

Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed at two poultry farms in Lincolnshire.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the cases were at commercial farms in the south of the county.

A protection zone of almost two miles (3km) and an eight-mile (10km) surveillance zone have been declared around both sites.

All birds on the premises will be humanely culled, Defra said.

The first case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercially bred poultry near Swineshead, Boston, on 31 October.

A second outbreak was reported at a farm near Donington, South Holland, on 1 November.

The protection zone measures restrict the movement of birds, meat and eggs in the area.

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

Scientists say the current risk to humans is low.

Transmission from birds to humans is rare and there has been no sustained human-to-human transmission.

Last week, Lincolnshire and other counties in the east of England saw bird flu measures brought in requiring owners to keep their flock on a strict lockdown in their housing.

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