'Bird flu' has been detected at a North West commercial farm meaning 13,000 chickens will now be culled.
Public Health England (PHE) confirmed on Monday night that avian influenza - or H5N8 - was confirmed at the site close to Frodsham in Cheshire.
A statement said there would now be a "humane cull" of 13,000 birds, but that the risk to public health from the virus is very low.
The Food Standards Agency also advised that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk.
The unnamed farm produces hatching eggs, and 3km and 10km temporary control zones have been put in place around the infected site to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
PHE said the case was unrelated to the H5N2 strain confirmed at another commercial premises in Kent on Monday.
Chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: "Avian flu has been confirmed at a commercial farm near Frodsham in Cheshire. Immediate steps have been taken to limit the risk of the disease spreading and all remaining poultry at the farm will be culled."
"Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.
"We are urgently looking for any evidence of disease spread associated with this farm to control and eliminate it."
PHE has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency advises that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.
Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
Dr Gavin Dabrera, Consultant in Acute Respiratory Infections at PHE said: "There have never been any confirmed cases of H5N8 in humans and the risk to public health is considered very low.
"We continue to work closely with Defra throughout this investigation."
The statement said a "detailed investigation" is in progress to determine the most likely source of the outbreak.
It added that wild birds migrating from mainland Europe during the winter period can spread the disease to poultry and other captive birds.
There are some simple measures that all poultry keepers, whether they are running a large commercial farm, keeping a few hens in their back garden, or rearing game birds, should take to protect their birds against the threat of avian flu.
