Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed Near Bishop’s Waltham

An outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed near Bishop’s Waltham.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry in Lower Upham on Friday.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the premises. All birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled.

Avian flu, also known as bird flu, is a type of influenza that spreads among birds.

England has been experiencing its largest ever outbreak of the H5N1 virus – with 75 cases confirmed since the beginning of November.

Risk to human health is considered to be low, but there was a case of a person catching the disease in January.