Cull planned as bird flu suspected at poultry farm

All birds in Norfolk and Suffolk are having to be caged while the bird flu spread is managed

A case of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is thought to have been found at a commercial poultry farm in Norfolk.

The highly pathogenic virus is suspected at a premises near Loddon, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

All birds at the farm were due to be culled after a 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone was set up around the site, with a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone also established.

Wider restrictions remain across both Norfolk and Suffolk, where farmers are having to keep their birds caged.

Defra said further testing would be carried out at the farm near Loddon to measure if there was a larger outbreak.

"All bird keepers should remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks," a spokesman said.

The risk to humans remains low, Defra said

As well as in Norfolk and Suffolk, farmers faced mandatory housing rules in North Yorkshire, Shropshire, East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire to manage the spread.

A farm worker in the West Midlands contracted the human version of bird flu this week.

It came amid wider biosecurity rules in place across England and Scotland as part of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.

Poultry owners have been told they must:

• Minimise contact with wild birds by keeping free range birds in fenced areas or indoors

• Provide feed and water undercover so wild birds cannot access it

• Clean and disinfect footwear before and after looking after birds

• Keep ducks and geese separate from other poultry

The risk to humans remained low, with chicken and eggs safe to eat if properly cooked, Defra said.