Bird flu found at farm in King's Lynn area

Avian flu has been found present at a farm near Lynn, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced today.

Defra put out the warning this morning saying that "H5N8 (highly pathogenic) avian influenza" was confirmed at a premises near King’s Lynn, yesterday.

The farm is reported to be in East Winch.

This is the eighth outbreak of the highly-contagiouos avian flu recorded in recent weeks and follows another alert elsewhere in Norfolk at a farm in Attleborough on Friday.

Defra said that in each case it has "acted quickly to cull affected birds and to introduce movement restrictions to limit the risk of the disease spreading".

Defra said: "Poultry and captive bird keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7), and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301. Keepers should familiarise themselves with our avian flu advice."