A strain of bird flu has been detected on a turkey farm in Lincolnshire.
The government confirmed that H5N8 has affected a commercial turkey unit near Louth. Most of the birds there have died and any remaining will be culled humanely.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has put in place a 1.8-mile protection zone and a 6.2-mile surveillance zone around the infected farm to limit the risk of the disease spreading. There have been outbreaks in wild birds and poultry across Europe over the past month. Fourteen countries, including France, Sweden and Germany have been forced to order poultry culls.
In response, avian influenza prevention zones were put in place in England, Scotland and Wales earlier this month.
Nigel Gibbens, the chief veterinary officer, said the outbreak on the Lincolnshire farm was the same strain as the one affecting Europe. He added: “We are urgently looking for any evidence of disease spread associated with this strain to control and eliminate it. Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.”
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According to Public Health England, there have never been any recorded cases of H5N8 in humans. Nevertheless, people exposed to the outbreak on the farm will be given health advice.
Defra confirmed that it is investigating to establish the source of the outbreak, which is not likely to cause “any impact on the supplies of turkeys or other birds over Christmas”.