November 12: Defra has confirmed Avian Influenza in turkeys on a premises near Diss on the Norfolk/Suffolk border after preliminary tests were positive for the H5 strain. The premises also contain ducks and geese. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered.
November 12: Defra has confirmed Avian Influenza in turkeys on a premises near Diss on the Norfolk/Suffolk border after preliminary tests were positive for the H5 strain. The premises also contain ducks and geese. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered. Full confirmation of results, including whether or not this is H5N1 and whether the strain is high or low pathogenic will follow.
A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone are being established around the Infected Premises. Inside these zones bird movements will be restricted and all birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds. We are also urgently considering with ornithological and other experts what wider measures may be needed.
All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register will be notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.
Update: 21:45 12 November
Further restrictions are being put in place in a wider area surrounding the infected premises near Diss as a precautionary measure:
· A wider Restricted Zone has been established in addition to the controls put in place earlier today; the new Restricted Zone covers much of Norfolk and the whole of Suffolk
· The new Restricted Zone requires the isolation of poultry from wild birds. Movements within this zone can take place, but movements are not permitted out of the new zone at present. We expect to make available general licences for low risk movements out of the zone shortly.
· No movements of poultry are permitted at present in the 3km and 10km zones around the Infected Premises.
· In addition, the national general licence permitting bird gatherings in England has been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.
These measures are a precaution while the results of further laboratory tests and investigations into the outbreak are awaited.
Update 16:00 13 November
Following further test results from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that the strain of Avian Influenza present at the Infected Premises near Diss is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Further characterisation of the virus is in progress, which may give an indication of the origin of the strain.
Local authorities and Animal Health are enforcing a 3km Protection Zone, a 10km Surveillance Zone and a wider Restricted Zone covering the whole of Suffolk and most of Norfolk around the Infected Premises. In these zones, movement restrictions will be imposed and poultry must be isolated from wild birds. In addition, it has been announced that the national general licence on bird gatherings has been revoked, and bird shows and pigeon racing will not be permitted for the time being.
A full epidemiological investigation and tracings of any dangerous contacts are underway and all possible sources of the outbreak will be investigated.
If you need advice on avian flu call the Defra Helpline on08459 33 55 77 between 6.00am – 10.00pm Monday to Friday.
