Third bird flu case confirmed as UK poultry housing order kicks in

Bird flu has now turned up at three sites across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The latest case was confirmed on Wednesday at commercial poultry premises near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, following an earlier case near Pocklington in East Yorkshire on 7 November. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been declared around all three premises, and every bird at those farms will be humanely culled.

The confirmation arrived as a national housing order came into force at 00:01 GMT. It requires all poultry holders with more than 50 birds to keep them housed, and it also covers anyone who sells or gives away eggs, poultry products or live birds.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss urged keepers to tighten up. She said bird keepers were being asked to exercise robust biosecurity and to report any signs of the disease immediately. She also acknowledged the toll on the industry, saying having avian influenza confirmed in your flock can be devastating, adding she understood the impact the disease can have on the poultry sector and was extremely grateful for the continued cooperation of the industry.

The affected farms now sit inside the protection and surveillance zones, with culling under way at all three.