Fifth bird flu case confirmed in Norfolk

Five farms in Norfolk have been affected, and four in Suffolk

A fifth case of bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial poultry site in Norfolk.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the H5N1 virus was confirmed at a premises near Poringland, Norfolk, and at another premises near Feltwell on Friday.

As in previous instances, Defra has established a 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone and a 10km (6-mile) surveillance zone around the affected site, and all poultry within these areas will be humanely culled.

Four farms have also been affected in Suffolk, bringing the total number of cases in the East of England to nine.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a viral disease that primarily affects birds but can occasionally spread to other animals such as foxes, seals, and otters.

Earlier this month, cases were confirmed at a premises in Attleborough and at another site near Feltwell.

Before that, a case was confirmed at a farm housing thousands of turkeys near Wells-next-the-Sea and another at a large commercial poultry unit near Ormesby St Margaret.

This year, Defra said there have been 31 cases of HPAI H5N1 in England and a total of 40 across the UK.

Last year, the total reached 81; in 2023, only 6 were recorded.