UK: Two Norfolk turkey farms confirm high-path bird flu outbreaks

Two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza affecting commercial poultry farms were confirmed by the government overnight. The H5N1 strand of the virus was detected on two separate farms in Norfolk on Monday evening (16 December), Defra said. Located near Attleborough and near Gayton, both farms are commercial turkey producers. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone was declared and all poultry will be culled on both sites. It comes after the government declared an 'AIPZ' restriction zone across East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk following an uptick in disease cases. It means it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers within the zone to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, whatever type or size. The UK’s chief veterinary officer said on Friday (13 December) that the AIPZ would help 'mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring'. It follows a number of detections of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in ...