Poultry to be culled after bird flu outbreak

A large commercial flock of poultry will be culled after bird flu was discovered at a farm in Worcestershire.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the H5N1 virus had been found in the flock near Alvechurch, Bromsgrove.

Bird flu spreads through contaminated feed and water or bird droppings and saliva, and there are currently mandatory housing measures in place if you have more than 50 birds.

A 3km (1.86 mile) protection zone and 10km (6.21 miles) surveillance zone around the premises was declared at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, and will remain in place until further notice.

An outbreak of bird flu was also declared at premises near Newark-on-Trent on Boxing Day.

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