December 16, 2016 6.54 pm This story is over 87 months old

Bird flu outbreak hits Louth turkey farm, 5,000 birds affected

More than 5,000 turkeys at a farm near Louth have been diagnosed with bird flu, the government has confirmed. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that the outbreak of the H5N8 strain of avian flu is the same as the one affecting poultry in Europe. Most of the birds at…
Stock image of a turkey farm. Photo: Curt Gibbs

More than 5,000 turkeys at a farm near Louth have been diagnosed with bird flu, the government has confirmed.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that the outbreak of the H5N8 strain of avian flu is the same as the one affecting poultry in Europe.

Most of the birds at the farm have already died, with any remaining ones to be humanely culled.

A 1.8 mile (3km) protection zone has been set up around the farm.

Defra said it has also set up a six mile (10km) surveillance area to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.

The risk to humans is said to be “very low” according to Public Health England.

The farm has not been officially identified by Defra.

Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: “Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good bio-security on their premises,” he said.

“We are urgently looking for any evidence of disease spread associated with this strain to control and eliminate it.”