The deadliest strain of bird flu has been detected in Warwickshire and a 3km protection and 10km surveillance zone has been declared.
H5N1 is a “highly pathogenic avian influenza” and the protection measures are in place to anyone who keep live poultry.
In the declaration signed on Monday, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said, “The Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 is present in England.”
H5N1 is a fast mutating strain which is difficult to immunise people from getting the subtype of flu, which has a higher global mortality rate then Covid of around 3.4%.
Last Wednesday a bird flu protection zone was declared across the UK to prevent the disease infecting other birds.
It is a legal requirement that all bird keepers must follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their livestock.
DEFRA has said that even people who have a chickens, ducks and geese in their gardens are also being told to take action and watch out for the signs of the disease.
In a joint statement, the chief veterinary officers for England, Scotland and Wales said on Wednesday, “Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you are now legally required to introduce higher biosecurity standards on your farm or small holding.
“It is in your interests to do so in order to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.
“The UK health agencies have confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and UK food standards agencies advise that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.”
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