Bird flu confirmed on commercial poultry farm in Lincolnshire, England

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, commonly called bird flu, has been confirmed in commercial poultry near Brigg in North Lincolnshire, England. The government said a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises, and all poultry there will be humanely culled. The case is one of several recently confirmed in Great Britain, and the measures are intended to limit the spread of the disease in the poultry sector.

Other recent cases

Earlier this week, on November 2, bird flu was also confirmed in commercial poultry near Biggar in the Scottish Borders. The same 3km and 10km zones were declared there, and all poultry on that premises will be culled. The strain was previously confirmed in commercial poultry near Belford in North Northumberland.

In Scotland, following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance around a premises in Ness on the Isle of Lewis, the protection zone ended on October 30. The area it covered now becomes part of the surveillance zone.

Restrictions in disease zones

In bird flu zones, certain movements are not permitted: poultry, other captive birds, eggs, poultry products or materials associated with keeping them, and mammals from or to premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept. The aim is to control further spread.

Some low-risk activities or movements are possible if the person responsible meets all conditions of the general licence. If that is not possible, or the activity is not covered by a general licence, bird owners can apply for a specific licence.

Vaccination

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Defra) say poultry and most captive birds cannot be vaccinated against bird flu in England. Zoo birds can be vaccinated only if eligibility criteria are met and authorisation is obtained from APHA; only zoos or collections with a current zoo licence can apply. Defra says it continues to invest in bird flu research and works with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to monitor the development of bird vaccines.