Further cases of avian influenza have been detected at two further premises in North Yorkshire, and one further case in North Yorkshire
H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Leeming Bar, Hambleton North Yorkshire on 22 November (pathogenicity to be confirmed) and separately H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Thirsk, Hambleton, North Yorkshire.
In Norfolk, high pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza confirmed at a premises near Wells-next-the-Sea, North Norfolk on 22 November.
This is in addition to the seven further cases detected over last weekend around the country.
In all cases the birds on site are humanely culled and Protection and Surveillance Zones are put in place to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
The risk level for avian influenza incursion in wild Birds in Great Britain has been raised from ‘medium’ to ‘high’. For poultry and captive birds the risk level has been raised from ‘low’ to ‘medium’ at premises where biosecurity is below the required standards, but remains ‘low’ where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.
On Sunday, a new avian influenza prevention zone was declared in parts of North Yorkshire, namely the districts of Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire, which means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in that area to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
The Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “We have taken swift action to limit the risk from wild birds and have introduced a legal requirement for all poultry and captive bird keepers three districts in North Yorkshire to keep their birds housed and to implement enhanced biosecurity.”