More bird flu cases identified as outbreak spreads

Bird flu has been confirmed at poultry farms in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed at poultry farms in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Defra said all birds at premises near Pocklington, Alford and Skegness would be culled as a result.

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

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) introduced in Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire and parts of Yorkshire has also been extended to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks, a spokesperson said.

The AIPZ, which imposes measures including mandatory enhanced biosecurity and housing for kept birds, now includes Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire.

A bird flu prevention zone enforcing strict hygiene standards around domesticated birds has also been declared for the whole of England.

There have been a number of recent outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, including near Mablethorpe, in Beverley and at Nafferton, near Driffield, East Yorkshire.

On Tuesday, Defra said the protection zone around the Nafferton premises had been lifted "following successful completion of disease control activities".

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

However, experts said the risk to human health remained very low and properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, were safe to eat.

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