Copyright birminghammail
The government's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed a case of bird flu in the Midlands tonight. Bird flu is caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals, including foxes, seals and otters. APHA announced on X, formerly Twitter, that the disease had been found in commercial poultry near Hallow, Malvern Hills. The organisation wrote: "Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry near Hallow, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire . Read more Expert says UK could have flying cars in 10 years and 'shared brains' by 2075 "Bird keepers should remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks. #BirdFlu." Two more cases of bird flu were confirmed earlier today (Friday, November 8) at large commercial poultry premises in Norfolk. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the H5N1 virus was confirmed, external near Attleborough and at another site near Feltwell. A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone and 10km (6-mile) surveillance zone was declared around both sites, and the government department said all poultry would be humanely culled. Earlier in the week, a case was confirmed at a farm housing thousands of turkeys near Wells-next-the-Sea. On 31 October, the virus was also confirmed at a large commercial poultry unit near Ormesby St Margaret. It comed after Defra introduced strict measures in an "avian influenza prevention zone" across Great Britain. It said that strict biosecurity and hygiene rules must be followed to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading further. The measures were put in place for keepers with more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products. Defra said the risk to the public was very low, but urged people not to touch or move any dead or sick wild birds.
