A strain of 'highly pathogenic' avian flu has been discovered near Wigan.
According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the H5N8 virus was confirmed in captive birds around Skelmersdale on Wednesday (March 31).
It is the most recent outbreak in a string of 20 incidents in the UK, LancsLive reports.
Restrictions on letting birds out were initially put in place in December to stop the spread of the flu.
Housing measures put in place to stop the spread have been lifted, but enhanced biosecurity requirements will remain in place.
Last week a 1km restriction area was put in force around a farm in Tarporley, Cheshire, because of an outbreak.
Defra, the Scottish Government and Welsh Government have been working closely with bird keepers on a number of initiatives to limit the outbreaks.
Measures put in place have been successful in helping to contain the disease. While the risk of bird flu in poultry with good biosecurity has reduced to ‘low’ it remains at ‘medium’ where there is poor biosecurity and the risk of outbreaks is likely to persist for several weeks.
As a result, the enhanced biosecurity requirements that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) on 11 November will remain in place and additional mandatory biosecurity measures have been introduced.
Public health advice is that the risk to human health from the H5N8 virus strain is low and from the H5N2, H5N5 and H5N1 virus strains is very low.
Food standards bodies also say avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products including eggs.
In a joint statement, Britain's three chief veterinary officers said: "This will be welcome news for poultry keepers across the country who have put great effort into keeping their flocks safe this winter.
"We have taken swift action to contain and eliminate this disease and all bird keepers - whether they have just a few birds or thousands - must continue do their bit to maintain strict biosecurity measures on their premises so that we do not lose the progress that we have made over the past few months as low risk does not mean no risk."
Poultry and captive bird keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns. They can help prevent avian flu by maintaining good biosecurity on their premises, including:
- Fencing off ponds, streams, boggy areas or standing water and draining them where possible
- Netting or covering ponds
- Removing any wild bird feed sources
- Deterring wild birds by regularly walking through the area or by using predator decoys
- Cleansing and disinfecting concrete or other permeable areas
- Putting down wood shavings in wet areas
- Limit the number of people who come onto the site
- Use disinfectant foot dips when entering and exiting enclosures or houses
