February 21, 2022 4.54 pm This story is over 25 months old

Birds to be culled after bird flu suspected at Grimsby farm

The birds will be culled as a precaution

Poultry owners have been warned to make a number of changes.

Suspected bird flu has been found at a poultry farm near Grimsby.

All birds at the site will be humanely culled as a precaution to prevent the spread.

There have been 78 outbreaks of H5N1 in England over the last few months, including around around ten around Louth, North Somercotes and East Lindsey.

Temporary control zones have been put in place around the premise to stop the movement of poultry or eggs.

H5N1 – more commonly known as bird flu – is highly contagious amongst birds.

It rarely passes to humans but can be very dangerous when it does so.

The government notice says: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was suspected on February 21 in commercial poultry at a premises near Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire.

“All poultry on the suspect premises will be humanely culled. A 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zone has been put in place around the premises.”

Control zones can be relaxed after disease control measures have been carried out.

Bird flu isn’t airborne, and passes between birds through direct contact or contaminated bodily fluids.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.

The regional UKHSA Health Protection Teams are working closely with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to monitor the situation and will be providing health advice to persons at the infected premises as a precaution.

The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

The public has also been reminded not to touch dead or sick birds that they find.