BASC is alerting members to advice from Defra following confirmation that a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are currently in place around two premises in Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire.
The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed H5N8 avian flu in a small backyard flock of chickens last week.
Defra has now confirmed bird ‘flu has also been found in a backyard flock of chicken and ducks at a separate premises in the same area.
The protection and surveillance zones have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. Full investigations are under way at both premises to determine the source of the infections.
Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
Defra has previously come together with countryside and shooting organisations to issue important information about bird ‘flu to everyone involved with gamebirds.