Bird flu confirmed in Yorkshire as huge protection zone set up

Cases of bird flu have been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in Yorkshire. #

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that all poultry on the premises near Hornsea in the East Riding will be humanely culled. A protection zone spanning 3km (1.86 miles) has been established around the unidentified site. Additionally, Defra has put a surveillance zone covering 10km (6.21 miles) around the farm.

Tests revealed the presence of the H5N5 strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus at the Hornsea site. This marks the first case of this strain found in poultry or captive birds in England during the current outbreak.

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Defra noted that both H5N5 and H5N1 strains, the latter being more common in recent years, have been detected in wild birds in Britain during the autumn, leading to an increase in the risk level for the H5 strain from medium to high. However, it remains low in poultry.

All bird keepers are urged to stay vigilant and take measures to protect their animals. The UK Health Security Agency reassured that the risk to public health is very low, while the Food Standards Agency stated that bird flu poses a minimal food safety risk, with properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remaining safe to eat.

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