Control zones in place over bird flu outbreak near Lanark

Birds at a commerical poultry farm in South Lanarkshire have been affected by bird flu

Control zones have been put in place around a commercial poultry farm in South Lanarkshire following an outbreak of bird flu.

The highly contagious H5N1 strain was confirmed at Whitelees Farm in Cleghorn, near Lanark, on Wednesday.

A 1.8 mile (3km) protection zone and 6.6 mile (10km) surveillance zone have been established around the premises.

Bird keepers have been advised to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures until further notice.

Protective zones have been set up around the farm

Those who keep chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese or pigeons and birds of prey have been asked to update their details on the Scottish Kept Bird Register by 21 November at the latest.

Bird flu is caused by a virus which infects birds and sometimes other animals, including mammals.

The H5N1 strain, the dominant version of the disease, emerged in China in the 1990s.

Transmission between birds and humans is rare and no human-to-human transmission has ever been sustained.