A case of bird flu has been confirmed in the Midlands as the highly contagious disease forces the culling of poultry. On Saturday, the government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) identified the case in commercial poultry near Hallow in Worcestershire. The agency wrote on X: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry near Hallow, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire.
“Bird keepers should remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks.” The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has since set up a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone, and will humanely cull all poultry.
The same day, two other cases of bird flu were confirmed at large commercial poultry premises in Norfolk. Defra revealed that the H5N1 virus was discovered near Attleborough and at another site near Feltwell.
The protection and surveillance zones apply, as well as the culling measures.
Earlier this week, a case of bird flu was also confirmed at a farm housing thousands of turkeys near Wells-next-the-Sea.
On October 31, the disease was found at a large commercial poultry unit near Ormesby St Margaret.
Defra has introduced strict measures in an “avian influenza prevention zone” across Britain, stating that stringent biosecurity and hygiene regulations must be adhered to in order to prevent the disease.
These measures were implemented for keepers with over 50 birds and any vendors of poultry products.
Defra maintained that the risk to the public was minimal, but strongly advised against touching or moving any deceased or unwell wild birds.
Elsewhere, thousands of migratory cranes were killed following a severe outbreak of bird flu in France.
Emergency teams and farmers have culled up to 10,000 cranes in the Grand Est region, according to the French Biodiversity Office (OFB).
Over 5,000 carcasses have been collected near Lac du Der, where the birds stop during their annual migration.
