A case of bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial poultry premises near Lakenheath, Suffolk, prompting swift action from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Officials confirmed the presence of the H5N1 avian influenza strain on Sunday and announced that all birds at the affected site would be humanely culled to prevent further spread.
Defra has established a 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone and a 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone around the premises. These restrictions will remain in place until the outbreak is declared over.
This marks the first confirmed case of bird flu in the East of England since an outbreak near Attleborough, Norfolk, in August.
The highly contagious disease, caused by a virus that primarily affects birds but can also infect other animals such as foxes, seals, and otters, continues to pose challenges to the poultry industry.
Defra has reassured the public that the risk to human health remains very low but urged people not to touch or move any dead or sick wild birds.
The department continues to monitor the situation closely and is working with local authorities to contain the outbreak and minimise disruption to the region’s poultry sector.
