Bird flu cases confirmed on commercial poultry farm in Yorkshire

Bird flu cases have been confirmed in a commercial poultry farm in Yorkshire.

All poultry on the premises, near Hornsea in the East Riding, will be humanely killed, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said. A protection zone of 3km (1.86 miles) has been established around the site, which has not been identified.

Defra said a surveillance zone of covering 10km (6.21 miles) around the farm had also been put in place. Tests found the H5N5 strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was present at the Hornsea site.

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It is the first case of the strain found in poultry or captive birds in England during the current outbreak. Defra said the H5N5 and H5N1, which has been more common in recent years, have been found in wild birds in Britain during the autumn.

The risk level for the H5 strain has been raised from medium to high in wild birds but remains low in poultry. All bird keepers have been urged to remain vigilant and take steps to protect their animals.

The UK Health Security Agency said the risk to the general public’s health is very low, while the Food Standards Agency has said bird flu poses a very low food safety risk. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat, the FSA added.