More cases of avian flu as control zones set up on edge of town
Second outbreak in a month is cause for concern and authorities impose protection and surveillance area
MORE cases of a “highly pathogenic” strain of bird flu have been confirmed at a premises in a South Derbyshire village. Cases of the H5NW strain of avian influenza in birds was found near Willington, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed.
The authorities have set up protection and surveillance zones that take in villages on the edge of Ashbourne, after the cases were confirmed on Saturday. All birds on the infected South Derbyshire premises will now be culled, a spokesman has said.
The 3km protection zone covers Willington, Findern and Stenson Fields but the 10km surveillance zone extends to cover Radbourne, Trusley, Dalbury and Sutton-on-the-hill.
Restrictions have been put in place to limit the movement of poultry and other captive birds, carcasses, eggs, poultry litter and manure.
All bird keepers in these zones must follow increased measures while the restrictions are in place.
The risk to human health from avian influenza remains very low, according to public health advice, and there is a low food safety risk.
The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and products including eggs, are safe to eat.
It is the second outbreak in a month, after one at a premises in Willington on November 17, when DEFRA confirmed birds had tested positive for the same strain and culled all those on the premises.
Derbyshire had two out
breaks last winter, and in November the Government introduced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across England to try to prevent further cases.
On a national level, the UK has already recorded its highest ever number of infected sites, with tens of thousands of birds being culled.
Experts say the disease is being spread by birds migrating from the north of Russia and eastern Europe.
It comes after avian flu was also in birds found at Staffordshire reservoir, with visitors to the beauty spot issued with a warning.
The two cases have now been confirmed in cygnets found dead at Chasewater Country Park, between Cannock and Burntwood last month.
Staffordshire County Council, which owns the park, said that the risk to humans was low, however people visiting the venue should not feed the birds or approach any dead or injured birds.
Staffordshire county councillor Victoria Wilson said: “We have seen first-hand earlier this year the impact of an outbreak of avian influenza so it’s really important we are aware and do what we can to reduce the spread of it.”