A third UK bird flu outbreak has been confirmed at a farm in Lancashire, as control zones are introduced to try and stop the disease from spreading.
A 3km and 10km temporary control zone has been set up around the unnamed infection site in Kirkham, Lancashire, and all birds on the premises will be "humanely culled", the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs said.
It comes just days after other disease control zones were declared around a site in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, and in Salwick, Lancashire.
On Monday, two swans were found dead from suspected bird flu in Blackpool.
The new disease control zone in Kirkham came into force at 1.30pm yesterday (November 16) and reaches more than 10km in every direction from the unnamed site, Lancashire Live reports.
The wider 10km 'Zone B' reaches Warton, Higher Penwortham, Fulwood, Broughton, Barton, Woodplumpton, Bilsborrow, Little Eccleston and Great Eccleston, Hesketh Bank and Freckleton.
A smaller 3km 'Zone A' includes Newton-with-Scales, Wesham, Treales and Swillbrook.
In a statement, a DEFRA spokesperson said: "Avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed in birds at a premises near Kirkham, Fylde, Lancashire on 16 November 2021.
"Further testing is underway to confirm the pathogenicity of the strain. 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zones have been put in place around the premises.
"All birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled."
Bird flu is a severe, often fatal, type of influenza that affects birds, especially poultry, and is known to occasionally be transmitted to humans.
Although bird to human transmission is known to be very rare, some deaths have been recorded.
Humans can catch bird flu through close contact with an infected bird, whether its dead or alive.
According to the NHS, this included touching birds, their droppings or bedding, or killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking.
However, it is not possible to catch bird flu through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak.
What are the rules within a Temporary Control Zone?
The measures are expected to impact all farms and businesses within the marked area where either poultry or other captive birds are kept.
The occupier of any premises in the zone must make records of any person visiting the premises, the date of visit and whether or not the person has had any contact with poultry or captive birds.
They must also keep a record of all poultry that enters or leaves the premises as soon as it is practicable after the movement.
Any person who is engaged in the transport or marketing of poultry, or poultry eggs, in the zone must make a record of all that has been transported or marketed as soon as they possibly can.
All movements of poultry must be recorded, including the quantity and description of the species of poultry or type of egg moved, the date of movement off the premises, the destination and the name and address of the person where the poultry has been transferred.
As well as keeping these records, captive birds and poultry must be kept isolated or be housed by the owner.
If they are not housed or isolated, the owner must ensure they have no contact with poultry or other captive birds on the premises, as well as taking all reasonable steps to minimise their contact with wild birds.
All carcasses that are not seized or disposed of by a vet inspector must be disposed of in accordance with a veterinary inspector's instructions. There should be no poultry or other captive birds collected together at any fair, market, show, exhibition or any other gathering in the zone.
Game birds are also not allowed to be released until the order is lifted.
Poultry must also not be moved to a slaughterhouse unless a veterinary inspector has examined the poultry at the premises, no more than 24 hours before they leave the premises and the poultry are transported in vehicles that are sealed by the veterinary inspector, or in accordance with their instructions.
The news comes as an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was introduced across Great Britain following a number of confirmed cases.
People have been told not to pick up sick or dead birds in order to prevent the disease spreading further.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health and wellbeing for Lancashire County Council, said: "I want to reassure residents that the risk to public health from avian flu is very low.
"However, it is important that people do not pick up any sick or dead birds to avoid spreading the virus, which can affect humans in rare cases.
"If you do find any dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds while out and about, please report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
"I would also urge bird keepers to be vigilant for any signs of disease and report any suspected cases to their nearest Animal and Plant Health Agency office."
