Home / Environment / Bird Flu Strikes Near Bacton Village
Bird Flu Strikes Near Bacton Village
20 Jan
Summary
- Two bird flu cases, including one in a backyard flock, confirmed near Bacton.
- A 3km protection zone is in place around the infected backyard birds.
- Commercial poultry also affected, with all birds to be culled.
Two recent cases of bird flu have been confirmed in mid-Suffolk, close to the village of Bacton. One of these cases involves captive birds within a backyard flock. In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has implemented a 3km protection zone around this backyard site.
A separate case of the H5N1 virus was identified in commercial poultry nearby. Defra has announced that all birds on this commercial premises will be humanely culled, and a similar protection zone will be put in place. These developments bring the total number of confirmed bird flu cases in Suffolk to nine since October.
An avian influenza prevention zone, affecting poultry keepers with over 50 birds and sellers of poultry products, has been in force for the entire country since November 6th. While Defra states the risk to the public is very low, they advise people to avoid touching or moving any dead or sick wild birds.
