December 19, 2016 2.51 pm This story is over 87 months old

Remaining turkeys culled at farm near Louth after bird flu outbreak

The remaining turkeys have been culled at a farm near Louth which has been the centre of an outbreak of bird flu. As previously reported, more than 5,000 turkeys at the farm in Tetney were thought to have been diagnosed with the H5N8 strain of avian flu, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs…
Stock image of a turkey farm. Photo: Curt Gibbs

The remaining turkeys have been culled at a farm near Louth which has been the centre of an outbreak of bird flu.

As previously reported, more than 5,000 turkeys at the farm in Tetney were thought to have been diagnosed with the H5N8 strain of avian flu, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed on Friday, December 16.

Most of the birds had already died at the farm, with the remaining ones humanely culled over the weekend.

Defra initially estimated the number of birds on the premises at around 5,000, but on further investigation discovered that the figure was closer to 2,500.

A 1.8 mile (3km) protection zone remains in place around the farm, as does as six mile (10km) surveillance area to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.

Defra has not released any details of the name of the farm that has been affected.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is undertaking a full investigation of the premises and tracing contacts.

This can take a number of days to complete.

There are no other new confirmed cases in the UK.

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.”