Third bird flu case confirmed at Suffolk poultry unit

Owners in the protection zone have to follow heightened biosecurity rules, such as cleaning and disinfection

A third case of bird flu has been confirmed at another Suffolk commercial poultry unit leading to all its birds being euthanised.

The case has been confirmed near Honington, which is between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford in Norfolk, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

A 3km (1.9 mile) protection zone and a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance has been put in place around the property.

It comes after cases were also confirmed near Elveden, close to the Norfolk border, and Lakenheath.

Bird flu is caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals, including foxes, seals and otters.

Defra said the risk to the public was very low, but people should not touch or move any dead or sick wild birds.

Owners either within the surveillance zone, or protection zone, have to keep a record of poultry leaving and entering their premises.

Those in the protection zone have to follow heightened biosecurity rules, such as cleaning and disinfection.

New lockdown measures forcing owners of more than 50 birds came into force on Thursday across parts of England including Suffolk.

On the Isle of Man a bird of prey also tested positive for the disease recently.

Mark Gorton, founder of Traditional Norfolk Poultry, has said bird flu is "massively stressful" for all owners.