Misery continues for poultry owners in Devon as a sixth outbreak of bird flu is confirmed.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) in poultry in the Ayshford area near Tiverton.

The poultry are to be culled and a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place.

South West Farmer:

This is the sixth outbreak in Devon in just over a month and is the second in the Tiverton area.

On July 8 a Captive Monitoring Zone was placed in a 3km circle around a building in Halberton after HPA1 H5N1 was confirmed in captive birds that were not poultry.

All exposed birds were culled but the zone is still in place.

 

South West Farmer:

On Tuesday (August 9), bird flu was confirmed at a commercial farm near Cullompton.

This is the second case found in two days in that area.

On Sunday (August 7) the same strain of bird flu was confirmed in commercial poultry at another farm near Cullompton.

Last Friday (August 5) HPAI H5N1 was reported in poultry near Ashburton and on July 21 the disease was found in poultry on a commercial premises near Dartington.

Defra placed 3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance Zones around all sites and all poultry on the premises have been culled.

When avian influenza is confirmed or suspected in poultry or other captive birds, disease control zones are put in place around the infected premises to prevent the spread of the disease.

Within these zones a range of restrictions on the movement of poultry and material associated with their keeping can apply.

There have been 109 confirmed cases of avian flu in the UK since November.

There are currently seven disease control zones in force across the country - and six of these are in Devon. The other is near Sandy in Bedfordshire.

All bird keepers, whether of pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock, should be keeping a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times.

If you suspect avian influenza you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence.