Two more outbreaks of bird flu confirmed in Cheshire
18.01.2022 - 19:29
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Another two outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed in Cheshire.
Cases of avian influenza have been detected in commercial poultry at premises near Tarporley and Aldersey, Cheshire Live reports .
The risk to the public remains very low, Cheshire West and Chester Council has said.
Meanwhile, the BBC is reporting that 26 swans have been culled in Windsor, with a 3km exclusion zone put in place to halt the spread of the disease.
The latest cases follow outbreaks confirmed at a premises near Mouldsworth and Helsby, in Cheshire, towards the end of last year.
Action is being taken to contain any spread of the virus after the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza had again been found in two new locations.
Avian flu mainly affects birds, but on rare occasions, can affect mammals including humans.
A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been put in place by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Defra, APHA and the UK Health Security agency (UKHSA).
Owners are advised that all poultry and captive birds have to be kept inside.
The zones restrict access to locations where birds are kept and impose restrictions on the movement of birds. They do not limit access to residents or business owners.
These most recent protection and surveillance zones were put in place on January 13 and will remain so until withdrawn or amended by Defra.
Ian Ashworth, director of Public Health for Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “I am also urging bird keepers to keep their birds inside and look out for any signs of disease. You must report suspected cases to the nearest Animal and Plant Health Agency