Bird flu cases confirmed at commercial farm near Gayton with all poultry to be culled
Cases of bird flu have been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in West Norfolk.
All poultry on the premises near Gayton will be humanely culled, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said yesterday.
A protection zone of 3km (1.86 miles) has been put in place around the site, as well as a 10km surveillance zone surrounding the premises.
In a post on Facebook, Norfolk Trading Standards said the risk to the general public’s health was “very low”.
“Norfolk Trading Standards will be working with our colleagues from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to support local businesses and minimise the risk of the outbreak spreading,” they said.
“The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
“The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.
“Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.”
As of last Friday, Norfolk is under a regional avian influenza prevention zone which was put in place following a number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) findings in both wild birds and commercial poultry.
The zone means it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in the county to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their animals.
However, it does not mean people have to house their birds.
It is hoped the new measures will mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
Bird flu cases have also been discovered at other premises in Norfolk including near Attleborough, Cranworth, Watton and Dereham.