Bird flu outbreak confirmed at Lincolnshire turkey farm

The Government have confirmed a case of avian flu in turkeys at a farm near Louth, in Lincolnshire.

Most birds at the premises have died - any remaining birds there will be humanely culled. Officials have put in place a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone around the infected farm to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

The advice from Public Health England (PHE) is that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency has made clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. Thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

There is not anticipated to be any impact on the supplies of turkeys or other birds over Christmas.

The Prevention Zones (housing orders) put in place on Tuesday 6 December remains in place in England, Scotland and Wales, including within the Protection and Surveillance Zones. Poultry and captive bird keepers should continue to house their birds, where practicable, maintain their biosecurity and remain vigilant about the health of their birds.

A detailed investigation is in progress to determine the most likely source of this outbreak.