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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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Danger to public health very low but handlers face greater risk

Handlers face a greater risk of exposure to the virus Credit: PA

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.

They say that although birds are seriously affected by the disease the risk to public health is considered very low.

Based on what we know about the H7N7 strain, the risk to public health is considered very low. The occupational risk for handlers and workers may be higher, but the measures already taken to protect their health are appropriate to an H7N7 strain.

Public Health England continues to work closely with DEFRA throughout this investigation.'

– Professor Nick Phin, Deputy Director of PHE’s National Infections Service

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Confirmed case of bird flu at Lancashire farm

Credit: ITV NEWS

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.

They say that although birds are seriously affected by the disease the risk to public health is considered very low.

All the birds at the farm farm near Longridge in Lancashire will be culled and restrictions will be placed on any other farm within a 10 kilometre radius.

Investigations are ongoing to discover the origin of the outbreak.

We have tried and tested procedures for dealing with such animal disease outbreaks and a strong track record of controlling and eliminating previous outbreaks of avian flu in the UK.

– Elizabeth Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

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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