5,000 turkeys die as bird flu hits UK farm

5,000 birds hit in the run-up to Christmas

A BRITISH turkey farm has been hit by bird flu in the run-up to Christmas.

The outbreak has affected more than 5,000 birds, which are said to be infected with the H5N8 strain of the disease, at a farm near Louth, in Lincolnshire.

Last night, a 1.8-mile protection zone and a six-mile surveillance zone was in place in a bid to stop it spreading.

Most of the birds have died and those remaining will be culled, according to government officials.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the outbreak and said the disease has been affecting animals across Europe.

Chief veterinary officer Professor Nigel Gibbens said: “Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good bio-security on their premises.”

A “prevention zone” was set up across England, Scotland and Wales last week in a bid to protect birds in the UK from becoming infected, and those with birds were advised to keep them inside.

A Public Health England spokesperson said: “Avian flu – often called bird flu – is primarily a disease of birds.

“There have never been any recorded cases of H5N8 in humans and the risk to public health is considered very low. We continue to work closely with Defra during this investigation.

“Despite the risk being very low, we will offer health advice to those people who may have been exposed on the farm as a precaution.”

Defra said these measures remain in place and advised people to report any suspected cases.

An investigation is under way to determine the most likely source of the outbreak.

France, Germany and Sweden have recently confirmed outbreaks of the H5N8 strain. The disease last struck in the UK at a poultry farm in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, in January. But the virus was contained to a single farm and eradicated very quickly. It has been circulating among wild birds in Asia since 2010.

Our bird keepers must report any signs of the disease immediately NIGEL GIBBENS CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER