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Confirmed outbreak of bird flu at Lancashire farm

A case of avian flu has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Lancashire. The department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the outbreak of H7N7 strain of the disease.

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Suspected case of bird flu in Lancashire

There was an outbreak in East Yorkshire last year Credit: PA

A case of suspected bird flu has been found in Lancashire. A temporary control zone has been established at a poultry farm whilst the case of avian flu is investigated and all birds at the farm are being humanely destroyed. Public Health England's advice is that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency has said there is no food safety risk for consumers. Under the restrictions all poultry farms within the 10 kilometre temporary control zone around the affected premises are not allowed to move poultry and other animals.

The decision to take precautionary action has been taken based on the clinical symptoms displayed by birds at the farm and emerging laboratory findings. The investigation into the suspect case and laboratory tests are ongoing.

We have taken swift precautionary action to limit the risk of disease spreading. These measures to control the movement of poultry and humanely cull birds at the farm are part of our tried and tested approach to deal with such incidents. The advice from Public Health England is that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency has said there is no food safety risk for consumers. I would urge bird keepers to be vigilant for any signs of disease, report suspect disease to their nearest APHA office and to ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.

– Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens
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Confirmed outbreak of bird flu at Lancashire farm

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