Bird Flu outbreak in North Yorkshire confirmed

The H5N1 virus, known as Bird Flu, has been discovered in the Thirsk area of North Yorkshire.

It is highly contagious and can kill poultry flocks, 

It means there is now a temporary control zone around the affected site which hasn’t been officially identified.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says keepers in the Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire districts must house all birds.

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Prof Christine Middlemiss, said there was a very low risk to the public.

The advice is to uses really clean footwear and clothing when with your birds and minimise the number of people that have contact with them.

Good rodent and pest control is important too because they can carry the virus from dead birds.

More updates and information here on the Government website

North Yorkshire is not the only area affected. An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been in place across Great Britain since 3 November.

Essex, Cheshire, Cumbria, Norfolk and Warwickshire are also affected.