County's fifth case of bird flu found in yard

A county's fifth case of avian flu has been found in a small backyard flock of poultry, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The latest case of the H5N1 virus was confirmed among the birds in Lawshall, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Nine outbreak sites have now been diagnosed across East Anglia this autumn, with most clustered along the Suffolk/Norfolk border.

A 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone and 10km (six-mile) surveillance zone were placed around the premises and all poultry will be humanely culled.

Since 6 November, Defra has extended a strict housing order across England for keepers with more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products.

The housing order means keepers must keep feed and bedding inside, and to cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry or captive birds.

The disease is caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals, including foxes, seals and otters.

Defra said the risk to the public was very low, but people should not touch or move any dead or sick wild birds.

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